Finding His Place in the Wild: Caleb Lawson ’17
Caleb Lawson ’17 never set out with a traditional career plan. Instead, he followed his curiosity, a love for storytelling, and a lifelong fascination with animals, a path that has led him from the stage to the water and into a career that is anything but ordinary.
Caleb Lawson, Class of 2017, has built a life that blends creativity with a deep respect for the natural world. Today, he works as a manatee swim tour guide for Nature’s Discovery in Crystal River and safety diver in King’s Bay, while also pursuing wildlife photography, a path that feels like a natural extension of the things in life he loves the most.
After graduating from Carrollwood Day School, Caleb attended Florida Southern, where he double majored in theatre and business. His early professional years reflected that theatrical foundation. He worked as an actor at LEGOLAND and performed in dinner theaters, fully immersed in the world of entertainment. But alongside the stage lights was another long standing interest that kept pulling at him. Caleb's fascination for animals led him to ZooTampa, where he began working as an entertainer and actor in an environment that combined performance with wildlife education.
That intersection sparked something new. Caleb started to gravitate toward wildlife photography and guided wildlife experiences. In August of 2025, he joined Nature’s Discovery as a manatee swim tour guide and safety diver in King’s Bay. His days now consist of leading two to three hour tours, locating manatees, snorkeling alongside guests, and capturing photographs that document once in a lifetime encounters. Through this work, photography became more than a hobby. It became a way to advocate for Florida wildlife and share its beauty with others.
What Caleb loves most about his career is simple. He values being out in the wild, immersed in real experiences, rather than sitting behind a desk. Each tour offers something different, and each moment reinforces why this path is right.
Caleb took a few moments to speak with Alumni Engagement Coordinator, Carli (Gauthier) Mianne '16, to reflect on his time at CDS. “As a younger man who had ADHD the smaller class sizes and teachers helped me to focus and form close bonds. Mrs. Fry, my old biology teacher, was a great inspiration for me wanting to be involved with wildlife,” he shares. That sense of support extended beyond the classroom. One of the most meaningful aspects of his CDS experience came during a challenging personal time.
“When I was in my freshman year I got injured and I was cross-eyed until my senior year. I never once felt like I was bullied by anyone or looked down on during that time and I think that’s a testament to the kind of people who were at CDS.”
His favorite memories bring him back to theatre, surrounded by friends and creativity. “I remember fondly hanging out with my friends in theatre with Mrs. McEvoy ( even though I was very bad at turning in assignments on time.)” And when asked about a CDS tradition that left a lasting impression, one experience stands out. “Getting to go to the Dominican Republic and help teach English. That was an amazing opportunity and I’m so glad I got to take part in it.”
Caleb’s journey reflects a willingness to follow curiosity wherever it leads. His work today captures not only striking images of Florida wildlife, but also the joy of choosing a life rooted in experience, exploration, and care for the world around him. You can explore Caleb’s wildlife photography on Instagram at @neptunesfuryphotography.
We love sharing our alumni achievements with the CDS community. If you are a CDS Alumni and would like to share your accomplishments, please contact our Alumni Engagement Coordinator, Carli (Gauthier) Mianne '16 at cmianne@cdspatriots.org and let us know what you have been up to since leaving CDS. We look forward to hearing from you!