Maceo Susi
Maceo Susi is a young, New England based wildlife photographer and biologist with a goal to aid in protecting and serving the natural world. He has spent tens of thousands of hours outdoors, including thousands of hours of ecological field work involving all kinds of organisms from native and invasive plant species, to marine invertebrates, seabirds, sharks, stingrays, ticks, and so much more. He utilizes his photography and talks to further connect people with nature, get them excited to go outside, and motivate them to give back to planet Earth.
Maceo's Seminars & Workshops
FRI 1:00 - 2:30 P.M.
Wildlife Photography, An Essential Art
Photography Seminar
Meeting Location: Celebration Hall at St. Anastasia, 5205 A1A S.
Ticket Price: $35
Difficulty Level: All Levels
Max No. People: 30
Description: Now more than ever, connecting people with the outdoors is essential to a sustainable society. In this talk, Maceo Susi will briefly summarize his life story, discuss the different ways in which we contribute to a sustainable world, and talk about how wildlife photography can aid in connecting everyday people with the magnificence of nature, and ways in which one can utilize the medium to tell in-depth stories that captivate the public. After this, he will tell stories of the animals he has encountered in the field, followed by messages he has taken away from these experiences.
FRI 3:00 - 4:30 P.M.
Unconventional Approaches to Wildlife Photography
Photography Seminar
Meeting Location: Celebration Hall at St. Anastasia, 5205 A1A S.
Ticket Price: $35
Difficulty Level: All Levels
Max No. People: 30
Description: Wildlife photography allows for an artist to connect the natural environment and animals to viewers. Every photographer has a unique strategy for creating captivating images, however images that stand out in creative ways tend to lead to the greatest impact. In this webinar, you will be taught some fundamental rules for strong compositions. You will also be taught how to follow these rules in conventional and nonconventional ways, as well as when and how to break the rules. Using the information provided in this webinar, combined with your own creative license and intention, you will be able to create more captivating images..
SAT 7:00 - 11:00 A.M.
Coastal Encounters Boat Tour: Shorebirds in Flight + Reflections + Creative Motion (Anastasia State Park Inlet)
Boat Excursion & Field Workshop - Co-Leading with Todd Nettelhorst
Important: This workshop includes walking on sand and uneven shoreline terrain. Participants should be comfortable carrying their gear and moving in beach conditions.
Meeting Location: Red Boat Tours, Vilano Beach Fishing Pier, 260 Vilano Road
Ticket Price: $150
Max No People: 12
Description: This is a high-energy coastal session designed to help you walk away with portfolio-worthy shorebird images—not just “I saw birds” snapshots.
Todd will coach you on the two biggest make-or-break skills for shorebird photography:
1. settings that freeze the moment (or blur it intentionally) and
2. autofocus + timing that stays reliable when birds do unpredictable things.
You’ll work on birds in flight, behavior moments, and clean compositions—plus creative options like reflections, silhouettes, and motion (ICM/dragging shutter when conditions allow). You’ll also learn how to approach and photograph responsibly so you get closer images without stressing wildlife.
Highlights (What You’ll Learn)
• Optimal camera settings for fast-moving shorebirds
• Autofocus strategies for flight and interactions
• Composition & light: reflections, leading lines, foregrounds in sand + surf
• Behavior anticipation: predicting takeoffs, feeding, and decisive moments
• Ethical field practices
• Wow factors: low angles, wing-blur motion studies, surf reflections, minimalist dunes
Gear List:
• DSLR / Mirrorless / smartphone
• Telephoto min 300mm (500mm+ ideal) or 100–400 / 200–600
• Teleconverter, CP/ND filters
• Fast cards + extra batteries
• Waterproof protection (gear + you)
• Knee pads/ground cover; neutral clothing; water; sunscreen/hat
SUN 6:15 - 8:30 A.M.
Salt, Sand & Silhouettes: Photographing Horses on the Beach at Sunrise
Field Workshop - Co-leaders Will Misner & Martin Culpepper
Meeting Location: Frank B. Butler County Park EAST, 5860 A1A S.
Price: $125
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Max No People: 15
Description: Join three talented photographers for an unforgettable sunrise photography experience on the beautiful shores of St. Augustine, Florida. The workshop will focus on capturing the graceful and powerful presence of horses running along the beach, bathed in the warm glow of the rising sun. Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or just starting out, you’ll gain invaluable hands-on experience as the photographers lead you through key techniques in action shots, natural light, composition, and creative storytelling. Throughout the session, you'll receive personalized tips and guidance on how to work with both natural light and your camera settings to bring the beauty of the horses and the landscape to life.
Gear List: A DSLR with fully charged battery and extra memory cards, a 100-400mm lens is ideal for this shoot ( a 70-200mm lens will also work)
