Wildlife Photo Chat, Episode 248: Maceo Susi (Dec 9, 2025)

Host: Ray Hennessy
Guest: Maceo Susi

Episode Overview

In this episode of Wildlife Photo Chat, host Ray Hennessy sits down with guest photographer Maceo Susi for an in-depth, enthusiastic conversation about creativity in wildlife photography. Together, they explore how Maceo approaches photographing a wide diversity of subjects, his creative process—including slow shutter speed techniques—and dig into the interplay between technical know-how and fieldcraft. They also discuss the value of learning through experience, project-based work, and cultivating a broad portfolio across genres. The discussion is rich with tips, practical insights, and relatable anecdotes for anyone passionate about wildlife and photography.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Getting Out in Nature & Favorite Locations

• Both photographers share their current projects and recent fieldwork, with Maceo highlighting his love for shooting at a rocky intertidal beach in Massachusetts, known for large numbers of sea ducks, especially eiders.
• Preference for Creative Conditions: Ray and Maceo discuss the unique draw of photographing sea ducks in rough seas and challenging weather—embracing dynamic wave action rather than avoiding it.
  • [05:09] Maceo: "If you're in the right spot... It could be a calm day or a super rough day. And it can work. Just on the calmer days, you're going to want something closer to shore where the waves are rolling a little more."
  • [05:39] Ray: "I feel like sea ducks is one of the only kind of waterfowl where you kind of want rough seas and like crazy conditions."
• Massachusetts vs. Other Regions: Maceo reflects on how certain birds are more approachable in his area, but also the allure of wildlife further south.

2. Exploring Local Wildlife and the Power of Discovery

• Using iNaturalist: Maceo describes using the iNaturalist app to discover new, unexpected species right in his neighborhood, highlighting the never-ending wonder of wildlife photography.
  • [09:56] Maceo: "Sometimes I'll go on a deep dive for like, I don't know, something random. Like what Longhorn beetles live here. And there's always like... Suddenly there's like 10 species I could go after that look crazy."
• Wildlife Photography as an Endless Journey: Both agree photography is a lifetime pursuit, always offering new ground to break—whether with familiar species in novel ways or by learning about organisms previously overlooked.

3. Origin Story: From Nature Love to Photography

• Artistic Roots: Maceo's parents are artists; a designer and a stop-motion animator, which provided a creative backdrop but his personal passion remains rooted in animals and nature.
• Transition to Photography: In 2020, with more time to explore, Maceo discovers the power of photos for sharing and remembering encounters, as well as for creative self-expression.
  • [12:17] Maceo: "...Being able to see their details with my own two eyes was like, wow... Then I started discovering how much you can play with and break the rules and do all these different things to create these artistic compositions..."

4. Creative Techniques: Slow Shutter Speed & Movement

• Eider Movement Photo: Maceo details his approach to a creative image of a common eider amid swirling, stormy waves—using a panning technique with a slow shutter speed for dramatic effect.
  • [16:36] "It might have been like, a couple thousand images, and then, like, two came out decent." (Maceo)
  • [17:24] "It blew my mind how good these birds are, specifically waterfowl... at holding their head still when all kinds of crazy stuff's happening." (Ray)
• Head Stabilization in Birds: They discuss the remarkable ability of birds—especially waterfowl—to maintain a tack-sharp head in the midst of movement, drawing connections to flight adaptations.

5. Dealing with Creative "Peaks" and Finding New Challenges

• The Trap of ‘Best Ever’ Shots: Ray and Maceo explore the paradox where achieving a particularly great image of a species can sap motivation to shoot it again, and how new conditions or inspiration reignite creativity.
  • [21:15] Ray: "There's an infinite number of possibilities... But the more difficult a photo is to capture, the more rare that something special like that is going to happen again."
  • [23:08] Maceo: "It's no longer about the species at all. I'm just gonna go for some crazy cool composition or something."
• Enjoying the Process: Over time, both find greater satisfaction in being present and appreciating wildlife experiences, rather than solely chasing "better" images.

6. The Importance of Fieldcraft

• Fieldcraft vs. Camera Skill: Both agree fieldcraft—the art of understanding and respectfully approaching subjects—has a much bigger payoff than technical camera settings.
  • [31:06] Ray: "What do you think has improved your photography more... fieldcraft and understanding your subjects or your knowledge gained about the camera...?"
  • [31:08] Maceo: "I think fieldcraft."
  • [31:22] "Trying to work your way around like a colony of breeding Dunlins... is so much harder than getting your ISO right for that photo."
• Predictable Patterns in Wildlife: What seems random at first becomes, with experience, a tapestry of patterns and behaviors. Learning this is critical for consistent success.

7. Project-Based Work and Storytelling

• Benefits of Longer-Term Projects: Maceo discusses the satisfaction of building a holistic story around an ecosystem, such as his salt marsh work focused on diamondback terrapins.
  • [52:37] "Being able to encapsulate all of that into one story... is in my opinion like a much more satisfying long-term goal..."
• Ray's Salt Marsh Sparrow Project: Ray shares how focusing intensely for a project taught him about ecology, adaptation, and narrative power:
  • [53:55] "These birds have to build a nest, lay their eggs, hatch the eggs, raise their young, all within a less than 30 day tidal period..."

8. The Advantages and Challenges of Being a "Diverse" Wildlife Photographer

• Diversity Across Genres: Maceo actively pursues a broad portfolio—birds, macro, reptiles, and mammals—arguing that while it may slow short-term progress, it pays off in long-term growth.
  • [55:57] "Short term, it's probably hindering my progress on all of them. But... Long term, each one of these animals has like a different conflict involved... Being able to capture all these different animals... creates a potentially more powerful portfolio."
• Compositional & Technical Cross-Learning: Lessons from one genre often boost innovation in another.

9. Future Directions and Continued Creativity

• Underwater Photography as a Next Step: Looking ahead, Maceo expresses a desire to explore underwater imaging, and further abstracts—using backlighting, rear flash, and experimental composition.
  • [64:05] Maceo: "I'd like to get underwater really bad. ... And then also, like, I do want to start doing more, like, ...more abstract stuff."
• Staying Consistently Inspired: Both photographers reflect on how staying curious and shaking up routines keeps their creativity thriving year after year.

Memorable Quotes

• [05:50] "You have to embrace it. If you're on the ocean, it's going to be at least somewhat rough." (Maceo)
• [10:43] "There's always somewhere to push. Whether it's pushing with the same species photographically... or learning about new species... It's never-ending." (Ray)
• [17:24] "I have some where their head is just... it's like tack sharp. And I'm like, how does this bird hold its head completely perfectly still for a tenth of a second while it's in this crazy water?" (Ray)
• [21:15] "With those, like, slow shutter speed shots... Something crazy could happen. I don't know." (Maceo)
• [31:08] "Trying to work your way around like a colony of breeding Dunlins is so much harder than getting your ISO right for that photo." (Maceo)
• [46:28] "It's been getting really cold out, but I've been getting like 90% insect photos." (Maceo)
• [55:57] "Short term, it's probably hindering my progress on all of them. But I think long term... it's super, super beneficial and I've seen it improve my photography." (Maceo)
• [64:10] Maceo: "Can I get another genre? There's that. And then also... I want to get more stuff where it's like, whoa, this looks like a fantasy world..."

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 03:17 – Introduction of Maceo, discussion of favorite locations and upcoming photo plans
• 09:56 – Using iNaturalist to discover unexpected local species
• 12:05 – Maceo’s background: artistic influences, discovering wildlife photography as an expressive outlet
• 14:18 – Discussing movement/slow-shutter eider images; rationale for creative techniques
• 17:24 – Bird head stabilization marvels and photographic implications
• 20:15 – Striving to “top” one’s own best images and fighting creative plateaus
• 31:06 – The debate: fieldcraft versus technical skill for improving wildlife photography
• 38:49 – Travel versus local photography; how changing environments reignites creative excitement
• 49:33 – Project vs. single-image photography; the satisfaction of thematic storytelling
• 55:57 – The pros and cons of building a diverse wildlife portfolio
• 64:05 – Maceo’s future creative ambitions: underwater photography and experimental techniques

Where to Follow Maceo Susi

• Instagram: @maceosusy
• Website: (not frequently updated, per Maceo’s note)

Episode Tone

The conversation is passionate, highly informative, and encouragingly down-to-earth. Both Ray and Maceo speak candidly about their creative highs and lows, with a healthy dose of humor and practical wisdom. The dialogue is relatable for photographers at all stages—a blend of technical tips, field wisdom, and a deep reverence for nature.

For listeners seeking insight, inspiration, and practical advice on photographing wildlife creatively, this episode is overflowing with valuable takeaways.