We recently connected with Susan Allen and have shared our conversation below.

Susan, appreciate you joining us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

I’m using Instagram and my camera to show people why they should share the beaches with endangered shorebirds, how single-use plastics impact wildlife, and why we should protect habitats.

I initially started photographing birds to practice my camera skills, but soon after, I was using my camera to learn about birds. I often joke that birds taught me how to be a photographer.

The more time I started spending with wildlife, the more I began to notice their stories.

A single dad piping plover working hard to protect his last surviving chick. A terrapin with a broken jaw and embedded hook who is rescued, hand fed and fully rehabilitated over a year. A female plover with a strand of human hair wrapped around her foot tight enough that she’s about to lose a toe, but she still finds a mate to have a nest.

I created @what.sue.seas to share the stories of local wildlife, and it really took off when I made a reel to show horseshoe crabs developing inside their eggs. The video reached a million views.

Although I’m focusing on South Jersey wildlife, social media allows me to reach a global audience. My goal is to encourage people to spend time outdoors, notice the wildlife around them and make choices that will sustain a healthy and biodiverse planet.

My other creative outlet is carving. I began collecting driftwood and turning it into whales. The textures and knots dictate the unique personalities of each whale. @catch.her.drift is the Instagram account.

Susan, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m a conservation photographer and I want to advocate for endangered wildlife and their habitats.

I work full time at a university as a content creator, but I use my sunrises and sunsets to focus on my passion.

I think it’s really important to carve out time daily to focus on things that bring you joy and a sense of accomplishment.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

When there’s no more room for growth in a current job, it’s time to build opportunities for yourself. Your 9-to-5 doesn’t have to define or limit you.

I love my current content creation and photography job, but I knew I was capable of more. That’s when I developed my own brand @what.sue.seas to continuing growing as a visual storyteller.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I found a theme, began posting consistently, expanded my photography to include videography, and started making reels.

I noticed that people were most interested in seeing unique views of the natural world like night-time long exposures of bioluminescent comb jellies and fireflies or macro footage of horseshoe crab eggs just before they hatch.

Capturing the awkward first flaps of a piping plover chick and willet chicks wobbling on their long legs and giant feet help people fall in love with these shorebirds that are losing habitat.

People can connect with wildlife through these glimpses into their daily lives.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.whatsueseas.com
• Instagram: @what.sue.seas
• Other: Second Instagram @catch.her.drift

Image Credits

All photos by me, Susan Allen