Cristina Mittermeier

Cristina Goettsch Mittermeier (born Cristina Sofía Goettsch Cabello: November 26, 1966, in Mexico City, Mexico) is a Mexican photographer, conservationist, biologist, and author.

Cristina Mittermeier is a marine biologist and activist who pioneered the concept and field of conservation photography. Her images focus on demonstrating the relationship between human cultures, indigenous people and biodiversity, the ocean, and climate change.

Education
Mittermeier attended the Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, (ITESM), where she received an undergraduate degree in marine biology in 1989.

From 1996 to 1999 Mittermeier attended the Corcoran College for the Arts, Continuing Education Program in Washington, DC, where she received a photography associate degree.

1990-91, Conservation International (CI)
Mittermeier began her career working at Conservation International Mexico as a technical associate for the Gulf of California and Selva Lacandona programs. It was during this time that she cultivated a sense of purpose for conservation work and met her now-former husband Russell Mittermeier. It was also during this time that she gave her first camera. Prior to having become a professional photographer, she conducted fieldwork in the Gulf of California and the Yucatan Peninsula in subjects including marine mammals, fisheries, aquaculture, biodiversity research and conservation for CI.

2005–10, International League of Conservation Photographers (ILCP)
In 2005 Mittermeier founded the International League of Conservation Photographers (ILCP), a non-profit organization consisting of photographers from around the world, with the goal of using photography as a tool to drive environmental and conservation efforts worldwide. Mittermeier served as founder, president and fellow until her departure from the organization in 2010.

2006 - present, Wild Foundation
Mittermeier serves on the board of trustees of the Wild Foundation.

2007 - present, Cemex Conservation Book Series
Mittermeier serves as the series editor of the Cemex Conservation book series; a series of books produced by Cemex, a cement manufacturer located in Mexico, illustrating strategies and diverse approaches to fostering the protection of our natural world, complemented with powerful images from the world's best photographers.

2014 - present, SeaLegacy
Alongside her partner and fellow nature photographer Paul Nicklen, Mittermeier co-founded and serves as President of SeaLegacy, an environment protection organization, which works alongside filmmakers, conservationists and photographers, with the mission to use strategic communications at the intersection of art, science, and conservation to protect and rewild the ocean within our lifetimes.

Personal life
Cristina Mittermeier has two children with Russell Mittermeier. Michael Mittermeier, born April 27, 1992 and Juliana Mittermeier, born June 26, 1996. She also has one step son John Mittermeier, born September 14, 1985, from her husbands first marriage.

Cristina married Russell Mittermeier in 1991, moving to Great Falls, Virginia to raise their children. It is with him that she has coauthored several books. .  The two divorced in 2008 and remain amicable. They continue to work together on many conservation efforts including the CEMEX conservation book series.

Mittermeier met Paul Nicklen in 2010, bonding over their mutual love of photography, the ocean and conservation. They have been partners since 2012, residing on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

Awards

 * Member of the World Photographic Academy
 * 2010 Nature’s Best Conservation Photographer of the Year Award.
 * 2010 North American Nature Photography Association Mission Award.
 * 2010 The 40 Most Influential Nature Photographers. Outdoor Photographer Magazine.
 * 2015/2016 -Imaging Alliance Photographers Who Give Back, New York, NY
 * 2017 Time Magazine Top 10 Photos of the Year
 * 2017 National Geographic top 10 stories of the year.
 * 2018 National Geographic Adventurer of the Year
 * 2020 Botanical Research Institute of Texas- International Award of Excellence in Conservation
 * 2021 Global Vision Awards
 * 2021 Seattle Aquarium Sylvia Earle Medal
 * 2021 Humanity Content Creator Award HIPA (The Hamden International Photography Award)
 * 2022 Doctorate of Fine Art. Honorary PhD- Simon Fraser University
 * 2022 Distinguished Environmental Leadership Award