"Photography is my language, a way to tell the urgent stories of our planet and its people."
"My work exists at the intersection of art, advocacy, and hope, driven by the belief that images can inspire change. Through my lens, I seek to capture the delicate balance between humanity and nature, revealing the beauty of our planet and the threats it faces.
As a marine biologist turned photographer, I am drawn to the ocean—the lifeblood of our planet. From the Arctic to the Amazon, I document the resilience and living values of Indigenous cultures and the fragile ecosystems they protect. My images are not just records of what exists; they are calls to action. They challenge viewers to bear witness, to feel connected, and to take responsibility for our collective future.
Photography has the power to create empathy because that is the emotion that fuels change. I want my work to move beyond admiration and into action, empowering people to protect the Earth's last wild places. Every image is an invitation—to listen, to learn, and to act—so that future generations may inherit a world as rich and vibrant as the one we know today." – Cristina Mittermeier
Cristina Goettsch Mittermeier, affectionately known as "Mitty," is a true artist in the world of conservation photography. Born in the vibrant metropolis of Mexico City in 1966, she spent her formative years in the sunny state of Morelos in the mountain town of Cuernavaca. Her remarkable journey as one of the most influential conservation photographers of our era has been marked by an unwavering dedication to preserving the world's oceans, and she has masterfully used her art to inspire millions to join her cause.
Mittermeier embarked on her educational journey at ITESM University in Mexico, where she pursued a degree in Biochemical Engineering in Marine Sciences. However, her later pursuit of Fine Art Photography at the Corcoran College for the Arts in Washington, D.C., set the stage for her artistic evolution.
In 2005, Mittermeier founded the internationally acclaimed International League of Conservation Photographers (ILCP). Through ILCP, she provided a creative platform for photographers focusing on environmental issues, coining the phrase "conservation photography" that encapsulates the blend of art and activism in her work.
In 2014, she co-founded SeaLegacy, a non-profit organization that strategically employs the fusion of art, science, and conservation to rewild and protect the ocean for the benefit of biodiversity, humanity, and the climate—all within our lifetimes.
Mittermeier's artistic endeavors have graced the pages of numerous prestigious magazines, including National Geographic, TIME, McLean's, The Men's Journal, and O. Together with her partner, Paul Nicklen, she earned the honor of being named one of National Geographic's Adventurers of the Year in 2018.
In 2021, she brought her unique perspective to Disney+ in the series "Welcome to Earth." The artistic brilliance of Mittermeier's photography has been showcased in galleries across the globe, from Hilton Asmus in Chicago to the esteemed Saatchi Gallery in London and the Eisele Gallery in Cincinnati. Recently, she presented a solo exhibition at the prestigious Gallerie d'Italia in Turin, Italy, a testament to her status as a revered artistic force.
Mittermeier's artistic achievements have been celebrated through various awards, including the Smithsonian Conservation Photographer of the Year, the Humanity Content Creator Award from HIPA, and the Imaging Award for Photographers Who Give Back. In 2021, she received the Seattle Aquarium's Sylvia Earle Medal and Travel+Leisure's Global Vision Award, earning her a place among the "100 Latinos Most Committed to Climate Action." She is also a distinguished member of the World Photographic Academy and notably the first female photographer to amass 1 million followers on Instagram.
As a sought-after speaker, Mittermeier has earned her place among the world's best keynote speakers, acknowledged by Real Leaders and those who listen to her. She is a Sony Artisan of Imagery, using her talents to support Rolex's Perpetual Planet initiative, contributing to collaborative efforts to preserve the natural world.
In 2022, she received an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts, honoris causa, from Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, Canada, recognizing her immense contribution to the world of art and conservation.
In 2024, she was among the National Geographic Explorers recognized with a National News & Documentary Emmy Award for her photographic work on The Last Ice, a landmark film by Dr. Enric Sala that highlights Inuit sovereignty and the impacts of climate change in the Arctic. In 2025, she received a second Emmy—shared with her husband, photographer Paul Nicklen—for their work in Photographer, a documentary directed by Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin. That same year, she was named Artist of the Year by the prestigious Intersect Art and Design Fair in Aspen.
Mittermeier is a remarkable artist, a committed impact investor, and an influential voice in creating positive social and environmental impacts. She balances her roles as an artist, conservationist, and entrepreneur with grace and purpose, and her three adult children, John, Michael, and Juliana, share her passion for nature. She calls Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, home, a place that undoubtedly serves as a wellspring of inspiration for her artistic endeavours.
