Her images focus on demonstrating the relationship between human cultures, indigenous people and biodiversity, the ocean, and climate change.

From 1996 to 1999 Mittermeier attended the Corcoran College for the Arts, Continuing Education Program in Washington, DC, where she received a photography associate degree.

Mittermeier began her career working at Conservation International Mexico as a technical associate for the Gulf of California and Selva Lacandona programs.

Prior to having become a professional photographer, she conducted fieldwork in the Gulf of California and the Yucatan Peninsula in subjects including marine mammals, fisheries, aquaculture, biodiversity research and conservation for CI.

[4] Alongside her partner and fellow nature photographer Paul Nicklen, Mittermeier co-founded and serves as President of SeaLegacy, an environment protection organization, which works alongside filmmakers, conservationists and photographers, with the mission to use strategic communications at the intersection of art, science, and conservation to protect and rewild the ocean within our lifetimes.