A light emitting element drive device of the present invention includes a light emitting element; a drive unit for driving the light emitting element; an electricity storage element capable of storing electric power; a battery power supply capable of supplying electric power to the electricity storage element; and a boost chopper circuit having an inductor, for boosting voltage by opening and closing a switching element. The drive unit is switchable between three states: a storing state in which electric power from the battery power supply is stored in the electricity storage element; a first discharging state in which the electric power stored in the electricity storage element is supplied to the light emitting element; and a second discharging state in which electric power from the battery power supply is boosted by the boost chopper circuit and is supplied to the light emitting element.