Rolex Partners Conservation Photographers Cristina Mittermeier And Paul Nicklen

These world-renowned conservation photographers have dedicated their lives to raising awareness about ocean conservation.

Candice ChanCandice Chan
Nicklen photographs a ringed seal as it looks for polar bears through the crystal clear water in its breathing hole before surfacing for a breath. Without ice, ringed seals will lose a key part of their environment where they build the igloos to rear their pups, and the series of breathing holes that allow them to evade polar bears
Nicklen photographs a ringed seal as it looks for polar bears through the crystal clear water in its breathing hole before surfacing for a breath. Without ice, ringed seals will lose a key part of their environment where they build the igloos to rear their pups, and the series of breathing holes that allow them to evade polar bears.

In a significant stride for its Perpetual Planet Initiative, Rolex partners with world-renowned conservation photographers Cristina Mittermeier and Paul Nicklen. Through the power of visual narratives, Rolex amplifies its commitment to shedding light on ocean conservation, recognising that a single image can convey the depth of a thousand words.

Mittermeier photographs a trio of flamingos in search of brine shrimp in the shallows of the Ría Lagartos, in Mexico. The flamingos get their bright, coral colouring from the crustaceans they eat. Photo: Cristina Mittermeier
Mittermeier photographs a trio of flamingos in search of brine shrimp in the shallows of the Ría Lagartos, in Mexico. The flamingos get their bright, coral colouring from the crustaceans they eat. Photo: Cristina Mittermeier

Together with photographer and filmmaker Andy Mann, Mittermeier and Nicklen established SeaLegacy, a non-profit dedicated to leveraging photography and visual media for ocean advocacy. SeaLegacy not only highlights the challenges confronting the ocean but also showcases ongoing efforts to safeguard it. Their ultimate goal is to protect the ocean and its inhabitants, practice sustainable harvesting, rehabilitate habitats, diminish pollution, and position the sea as a solution for addressing climate change.

Mittermeier photographs a school of cardinal fish swimming away from a Galapágos sea lion. The Galapágos is one of the most biodiverse areas on the planet. In January 2022, the Hermandad Marine Reserve added 60,000 square kilometres to the islands’ surrounding no fishing zone, adding 5.9 percent to Ecuador’s protected ocean. Photo: Cristina Mittermeier
Mittermeier photographs a school of cardinal fish swimming away from a Galapágos sea lion. The Galapágos is one of the most biodiverse areas on the planet. In January 2022, the Hermandad Marine Reserve added 60,000 square kilometres to the islands’ surrounding no fishing zone, adding 5.9 percent to Ecuador’s protected ocean. Photo: Cristina Mittermeier

Mittermeier is a conservation photographer and one of the world’s most influential in the field. Born in Mexico, she studied marine science but later embraced visual storytelling through photography to draw attention to the urgent need for ocean conservation.

Across her multi-award-winning career, Mittermeier has documented many of the untold wonders of the oceans. She founded the International League of Conservation photographers to provide a platform for those working on environmental issues, and was named one of National Geographic’s Adventurers of the Year in 2018.

In this picture, Mittermeier captures the moment an Inuit hunter looks up at the first snow of spring. The sight of falling snow brings hope to the Inuit hunters of Greenland, who depend on the seasonal ebb and flow of sea ice to feed their families. Indigenous communities remain the last vestiges of humanity’s intricate connection to the Earth’s primordial operating system. Photo: Cristina Mittermeier
In this picture, Mittermeier captures the moment an Inuit hunter looks up at the first snow of spring. The sight of falling snow brings hope to the Inuit hunters of Greenland, who depend on the seasonal ebb and flow of sea ice to feed their families. Indigenous communities remain the last vestiges of humanity’s intricate connection to the Earth’s primordial operating system. Photo: Cristina Mittermeier

Supported by the Perpetual Planet Initiative, Mittermeier uses her evocative images to inspire community action and mentors young conservationists. She is a sought-after speaker at international conferences and forums like the UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon in 2022 and at forums such as the Convention on Biological Diversity. She has also edited and co-authored 27 books on conservation issues.

By showcasing the beauty and vulnerability of the sea in her photography, Mittermeier inspires action to protect the oceans that so many people depend on, like these coastal fishing communities in Madagascar. Photo: Cristina Mittermeier
By showcasing the beauty and vulnerability of the sea in her photography, Mittermeier inspires action to protect the oceans that so many people depend on, like these coastal fishing communities in Madagascar. Photo: Cristina Mittermeier

As for Nicklen, the renowned wildlife photographer, filmmaker, and partner in the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative employs dramatic imagery to highlight the threats faced by certain habitats, particularly the oceans. Raised amongst the Arctic Inuit community on Baffin Island, Nicklen’s upbringing instilled a deep respect for nature. With a background in marine biology, he transitioned to visual storytelling to advocate for environmental conservation.

Ta’Kaiya Blaney is a member of the Tla A’min Nation, an environmental activist, award-winning actress and singer, and ambassador for the Native Children’s Survival Indigenous Children Fund and Salish Sea Youth Foundation. Mittermeier met her for a shoot on the shores of Vancouver Island, where she photographed her wearing traditional clothing. Photo: Cristina Mittermeier
Ta’Kaiya Blaney is a member of the Tla A’min Nation, an environmental activist, award-winning actress and singer, and ambassador for the Native Children’s Survival Indigenous Children Fund and Salish Sea Youth Foundation. Mittermeier met her for a shoot on the shores of Vancouver Island, where she photographed her wearing traditional clothing. Photo: Cristina Mittermeier

Risking his life for assignments with National Geographic, Nicklen connects a global audience with fragile ecosystems. With over 30 awards, he’s a popular nature photographer on Instagram (@paulnicklen) with over 7.3 million followers, while his TED talk on the ramifications of the disappearing sea ice has garnered over 2.5 million views.

In one of over 45 expeditions undertaken by SeaLegacy, Mittermeier encounters a leopard seal in Antarctica. Scientific observations have shown leopard seals moving into fur seal territory around Antarctica, where they are decimating the fur seal population. Photo: Cristina Mittermeier
In one of over 45 expeditions undertaken by SeaLegacy, Mittermeier encounters a leopard seal in Antarctica. Scientific observations have shown leopard seals moving into fur seal territory around Antarctica, where they are decimating the fur seal population. Photo: Cristina Mittermeier

Together, both Mittermeier and Nicklen have conducted more than 45 expeditions, documented over 765 species, and amassed over 7 mill images. With the support of Rolex, their messages can now be amplified to new audiences. The two films that were produced as part of this collaboration highlight the importance of the ocean as a vital realm supporting all life, emphasising the urgency to preserve it for future generations.

Niklen photographs a young emperor penguin chick at the largest emperor penguin breeding colony in the Ross Sea, a deep bay in the Southern Ocean. Emperor penguins’ breeding habits rely on the ice, making them the most vulnerable of Antarctica’s species. Photo: Paul Nicklen
Niklen photographs a young emperor penguin chick at the largest emperor penguin breeding colony in the Ross Sea, a deep bay in the Southern Ocean. Emperor penguins’ breeding habits rely on the ice, making them the most vulnerable of Antarctica’s species. Photo: Paul Nicklen

This partnership with Mittermeier and Nicklen is a perfect example of how the Perpetual Planet Initiative endorses impactful individuals who contribute to a better world. Its inclusion fortifies the programme and its expanding network of partnerships and projects. Dedicated to endorsing individuals and organisations leveraging scientific insights, the initiative remains committed to championing sustainability and conservation.

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