PRODUCTION PHOTOGRAPHER
“Storytelling has never been more important,” argues Mittermeier, “especially now that media and journalistic outlets are being gutted.” For her and Nicklen, photography and storytelling are means to a larger goal: environmental protection and political change. They co-founded SeaLegacy – a non-profit focused on oceanic conservation – using their platforms to ‘mobilise [their] followers to take action.’ “The power of the people is greater than the people in power,” she quotes. Mittermeier’s own path to National Geographic and SeaLegacy was far from linear, and as a woman, it was also much harder. “Our gifts as women are to be more sensitive, kinder, more empathetic, and the stories that we tell using these
THE stories we tell USING OUR GIFTS ARE so powerful ”
gifts are so important and so powerful,” she enthuses. “We need more women in the field. I think a lot of women are intimidated by the equipment. I want to say, ‘I was just a little girl from Mexico. If I can do it, anybody can.’” Though Mittermeier and Nicklen come from vastly different backgrounds, they’re both celebrated photographers, adept at
capturing the world and uplifting others through imagery – Vasarhelyi included. “I think everyone was completely inspired by the subject matter. It was one of those complete dream jobs for everybody involved,” she describes. “Paul and Cristina are personal heroes of mine. I can say that’s probably true of every crew member.”
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