Question 1

How did you get started in your photography career?

Accepted Answer

I actually didn’t start out seeking a career in photography. I started  out as a scientist, and my primary interest was always to find ways to  help protect nature. I have always had a deep love for the natural world  and the knowledge of indigenous people, but my passion has always been  accompanied by a tremendous concern for what’s happening to our planet,  and especially to our oceans. From a very young age, I wanted to do  something to help. I went to university and became a Marine Biologist  and became part of the scientific community but I soon realized that my  knowledge as a scientist was not the right tool for me to help protect  the ocean. Photography was something I stumbled upon by accident. I  borrowed a camera and soon discovered that I had some talent for it. I  was drawn to the power of imagery as a way to show the world what is  happening to our environment and I saw an important need, a gap in  communication, that storytelling could address, and I decided to go back  to school. I went to the Corcoran College for the Arts and have been  using my camera as my passport to the world ever since.

Question 2

How did you build a career out of conservation photography?

Accepted Answer

I began as a volunteer photographer with Conservation International but  soon transitioned into the Communications Department, where I eventually  became the Senior VP of Visual Communications. This is where I began  exploring the power of imagery and where I first realized that our  failure to protect the environment stems from a failure to communicate  at scale. As a community we have not yet made the appropriate  investments in communications at the same level as we have the science.  My entire career has been focused on increasing the amount of  communication around conservation issues through storytelling.

Question 3

What advice do you have for someone starting a career in photography?

Accepted Answer

That’s not an easy question to answer. There are lots of factors at  play, all connected to individual circumstances – skills, networks,  abilities, and opportunity. That said, I believe that education is key.  Get a strong foundation of knowledge and theory on the subjects you are  passionate about and then work incredibly hard and practice. Study the  work of other photographers and look for opportunities to learn in the  field. Become a photography assistant to a professional photographer so  that you can learn field techniques; from writing proposals to  organizing gear, to managing the logistics of a shoot. Being a  photographer is not easy; most of us work as freelancers, which allows  great freedom but comes with no guarantees of income or benefits. This  is a profession that demands some hustling and some assertiveness, and  it isn’t as glamorous as people think. The competition is steep as there  are so many talented photographers out there, and it’s challenging to  make a real living from it. So, if you are serious about making a  profession as a photographer, set some goals for yourself. Become a good  writer, learn business practices, be an effective communicator with  potential clients, be serious about your work as a volunteer, and do  everything you possibly can to get closer to those goals. Most  importantly, know that it won’t happen overnight.

Question 4

Can I assist, intern or volunteer with you?

Accepted Answer

I get many requests for internship and assistant work, and I wish I  could accommodate them all. The work I do as a photographer is typically  on assignment for magazines like National Geographic or for  conservation organizations, like SeaLegacy. This means I usually work  with a small team of trained assistants. It is my policy only to hire  people who have experience in international travel (in particular to  remote locations), who speak at least one additional language, who are  trained as divers and have rescue skills, and that have camera skills  for BTS, social media and editing. We have a limited intern program  through my non-profit organization, SeaLegacy, (www.sealegacy.org), with  only one to two spots available each year. If you would like us to keep  your resume on file, please forward it via email to info@CristinaMittermeier.com with an introduction.

FAQ

How did you get started in your photography career?

How did you build a career out of conservation photography?

What advice do you have for someone starting a career in photography?

Can I assist, intern or volunteer with you?

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FAQ

How did you get started in your photography career?

How did you build a career out of conservation photography?

What advice do you have for someone starting a career in photography?

Can I assist, intern or volunteer with you?

Sign up for Mitty's Exclusive List

Sign up for
Mitty's Exclusive List