Salish Sea, British Columbia, Canada

“Life in the ocean, stunning and humbling even in its smallest expression, is the primordial engine that transforms the land, shapes our continents, gives birth to entire coastlines, and creates new life on this planet. Bridging the gap between above and below, this egg yolk jellyfish dances on the thin blue line; a symbol of how connected the two worlds are.”

-Cristina Mittermeier

Southern Coast of Ghana, Africa

“Alone in a world that appears made up almost entirely of sea and sky, a small dhow rides the wind on a patchwork sail across the Gulf of Guinea, on the southern coast of Ghana, Africa.

The distance between this traditional sailboat and its destination is representative of the gulf we still need to cross to ensure there is enough clean water for everyone. It is important to understand the link between water and climate change. A changing climate not only means more dramatic weather events, droughts, and a change in rain patterns. A planet out of balance means that fresh, safe water will become even more scarce as the world transforms around us.”

​-Cristina Mittermeier

French Polynesia

The coral gardens of French Polynesia sprawl across the shallows in vibrant stacks. Their architecture is more intricate and fine than the greatest works of art produced by humankind, beginning at a cellular level and slowly building into massive reefs.

​-Cristina Mittermeier

The Bahamas, 2019

The Bahamas

The Bahamas

Isn’t this sharp beautiful? In the Bahamas, she is called “Queen” and she is big, confident and absolutely gorgeous. I had to giggle when she barreled right through this small school of jacks, just for the fun of watching them scatter! Sharks may be the most misunderstood and maligned animals in the world; I hope that my art inspires compassion for them and the underwater ecosystems where they have fundamental roles to play as part of a larger whole. We can not have healthy oceans without sharks, and we must do more to protect them.

​-Cristina Mittermeier

The Bahamas

Finding your voice” as a photographer is easier said than done. For me, the “aha” moment finally came when I realized that my best work, or at least the work I enjoy doing the most, occurs when storytelling and fine art come together in the same image. I want my photographs to serve as invitation into deeper conversations; their design is to be beautiful, their purpose to provide questions.

That is when I know that my art is successful; when somebody from my audience, even if it is just one person, reaches beyond the frame of the photograph. When you look at this image, do you wonder where this stingray is going, or what it must have felt like to swim in that crystal clear water? What sort of spectator are you; do you need your questions answered, or do you prefer to let them rest in the mystery and beauty of the moment?

​-Cristina Mittermeier