Rolex supports photographer Cristina Mittermeier's ocean advocacy

The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative spotlights Cristina Mittermeier's photography and advocacy work for safeguarding oceans. David Ho takes a look  

As the first female photographer to achieve one million followers on Instagram and a Rolex Testimonee, Cristina Mittermeier has the platform and visual storytelling to mobilize a global audience of ocean advocates. 

At the moment, only 8 percent of the world’s oceans are protected. But over 100 countries have now committed to protecting 30 percent of the planet’s blue heart by 2030. So the work of advocates like Mittermeier, who is renowned for her exceptional images of the marine world, is more important than ever.

Despite hailing from the landlocked Mexican town of Cuernavaca, Mittermeier has dedicated her life to championing the oceans, using her powerful imagery to inspire others to do the same. “Everybody understands photography,” she says, “it’s a universal language that has unparalleled power to inspire and engage audiences to take action.”

With the support of the Perpetual Planet Initiative, Mittermeier and her partner Paul Nicklen have documented both the untold wonders and issues of the oceans. The pair co-founded the non-profit organization SeaLegacy, which brings together filmmakers, photographers, and storytellers to shine a light on marine conservation efforts around the world.

Across more than 45 expeditions, Mittermeier and Nicklen have documented over 765 species and captured over seven million images. “One of the greatest joys and achievements of my career is when people use one of the photographs I have taken as a banner to champion their cause,” says Mittermeier. “Any time I can use my photographs to represent something bigger makes me really happy.”

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Mittermeier’s multi-award-winning career has taken her to more than 130 countries and every continent on the planet, often on assignment for National Geographic magazine. In 2018, she was named one of National Geographic’s Adventurers of the Year. In 2005, she founded the International League of Conservation Photographers, providing a platform for photographers working on environmental issues and conservation efforts.

A picture tells a thousand words, but the power of the written word is not lost on Mittermeier. She has edited and co-authored 27 books on conservation issues. In 2024, she released her own book, Hope, with the support of Rolex. The tome was inspired by the incredible stories she has encountered during her distinguished career, with a collection of her favourite prints spanning every continent.

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