NJCS: Waters Edge with Cristina Mittermeier (Sony)
Cristina Mittermeier learned the concept of responsible earth stewardship at a very young age and through a career as a marine biologist and now an ethnographic photographer, she explores her unwavering passion for changing the narrative of the world's oceans from a negative one, into a positive one.
By looking into the ways of life of four communities and their individual relationships with water—the Kayapó in the Amazon, the Inuit of Greenland, the First Nations people of British Columbia, and native Hawaiians, Cristina explores the concept of "Enoughness". Personal, humorous and reflective of a changing global climate, Cristina inspires audiences with stories from the front lines of conservation photography.
Sponsored by
Cristina Mittermeier will be raffling off a Sony a6000 with 16-50mm kit during this class! Register to attend and you could win!
To roam the farthest corners of the Earth, where wild creatures live, is a privilege reserved for the adventurous few. CRISTINA MITTERMEIER is one of those few. She dedicates her life to creating images that help us understand the urgent need to protect our wild places. Cristina first discovered her insatiable passion for the natural world, both above and below the surface, as a Marine Biologist working in the Gulf of California and the Yucatan Peninsula. From there, it didn’t take her long to realize that she could make a bigger impact on how people see the world, and connect to it, through the lens of her camera than she could with data on spreadsheets.Today, Cristina is a National Geographic Photographer, Co-founder and President of the conservation society, SeaLegacy, a Sony Artisan of Imagery, is recognized as one of the World’s Top 40 Most Influential Outdoor Photographers by Outdoor Magazine and is the editor of 25 coffee table books on conservation issues. She is a sought-after Keynote Speaker and Presenter at events ranging from the Convention on Biological Diversity to the TEDx stage. Her images focus on demonstrating the important relationship between human cultures, especially indigenous people, and biodiversity that sustain not only them, but all of us. “Conservation is a puzzle,” she says. “Where many pieces have to fit together to make things work. For me, the choice of being a photographer means becoming piece of that puzzle. In the absence of that, for me, photography means nothing.”
Having worked in more than 100 countries on every continent in the world, Cristina builds a greater awareness of the responsibility that comes with being human. Her work is about the ethical imperative—the urgent reminder that we are inextricably linked to all other species on this planet and that we have a duty to act as the keepers of our fellow life forms.
Cristina has three grown children, each pursuing careers in science and conservation. She lives on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, with her partner, National Geographic Photographer and Filmmaker, Paul Nicklen.
Unique University® is the highly acclaimed education component of Unique Photo®, NJ’s only camera and video superstore. There is over 2000 sq. ft. of learning space, including our start-of-the art, 1000 sq. ft. main presentation hall. Unique University’s mission is to help our visitors “Create Better Pictures” by providing photography education for beginners to pros. With events daily, it is the place where photography groups such as local camera clubs, ASMP, PPA and others meet. We have a full curriculum of classes and seminars from world famous speakers such as Art Wolfe, Rick Sammon, Michael Yamashita, Tyler Stableford, Lindsay Adler, and Will Crockett. We offer photography experiences to such places as the Prudential Center for Seton Hall Men's Basketball, Meadowlands Horse Racetrack, Lakota Wolf Preserve, NJ Jackals Baseball, Rutgers Football, Botanical Gardens, Festival of Ballooning, and much more. Our technical classes include such topics as basic D-SLR photography, lighting techniques, Adobe Photoshop, Elements, and Lightroom, macro photography, composition, editing and printing, wedding photography, HDR photography, working with speedlights, how to use social media, digital organization, one-on-one instruction, and much more.
FAQ UNIVERSITY
Where are classes held?
Unless stated otherwise, classes are held in the Unique University classroom within the Unique Photo SuperStore (123 US Highway 46 West, Fairfield, NJ 07004).
What should I bring to class?
You're encouraged to bring your camera and a notebook and pen to most classes. Some classes will require additional equipment, so please check the class descriptions.
Will lunch or refreshments be included?
Lunch and refreshments are not provided for any classes under 6 hours unless noted.
How do I register for a class?
You can register online, in-store at the concierge, or by phone at either 973-377-6454 or 973-377-2007. Please note that you will need to provide payment information.
Can I register at the door?
For most classes, you're free to register at the concierge desk prior to the start of the class. Please note that there are some classes that offer "Early Bird Special" rates and others that have limited seating, so it would be in your best interest to register prior to the dates of such classes.
I wanted to register for ______ class, but it is now sold out. Is there a waiting list?
Please contact us at 973-377-6454 or [email protected] with the following information: your name, phone number, email address, and the class name and date.
My question has not been addressed here. Is there someone I can contact?
Please contact us at 973-377-6454 or [email protected] with any additional inquiries.
Unique University Class Cancellation Policy
- Classes costing less than $99 may be canceled up to 48 hours in advance for a full refund. For classes costing $100 or more, advanced notice of seven days before the class is necessary for a full refund.
- Requests for cancellation made after these deadlines will be awarded store credit in the amount paid for registration towards a future Unique University seminar or workshop.
- Cancellations made within 24 hours of the beginning of a class will not be honored and no refund or credit will be given.
- Cancellations of any class utilizing models will be subject to a cancellation fee of 50% of the purchased price (up to $100).
** Attention American Express cardholders: If you cancel a registration for a class costing $100 or more, there will be a 3% cancellation fee deducted from your refund or store credit.
Creators Challenge Contest Entry Form
How to Submit
1. Select the Choose Your Challenge dropdown in the form below to view each open contest.
2. Fill out the required information.
3. Select Upload or drag and drop your images.
4. Click Submit to send your photos!
(Up to 5 photos or videos entries per attendee)
Rules:
All photographers retain their copyrights to their images, but by entering into this contest, agree to allow usage on social media platforms for promotion.
Please upload a JPEG image. Please Re-size photographs to under 8MB per photo.
Please DO NOT include watermarks on photographs – Images will be disqualified from entry.
Please make sure to include your NAME and IMAGE TITLE in your FILE NAME.
Please get rid of erroneous numbers or edit numbers.
(Example: JohnSmith_CherryBlossoms.jpg)
If you are having trouble with this form, please email all of the information below and your photographs to: [email protected]
Winners will be announced a week after the deadline on Instagram @UniquePhoto.
Terms of Use:
Creators Challenge Contests Eligibility: Contests are open to individuals who are at least 18 years old at the time of entry. Employees, affiliates, and their immediate family members are not eligible to participate. Submission Guidelines: Photos must be original and submitted by the photographer. Submissions must not contain offensive, discriminatory, or inappropriate content. Number of photos submitted and submission deadline will be determined by the specific Creators Challenge contest. Copyright and Usage Rights: All photographers retain full copyrights to their submitted photos. By entering any Creators Challenge contest, participants grant Unique Photo a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to use, reproduce, and publish their submitted photos on social media platforms and other digital channels for promotional purposes. No modifications will be made to the photos without prior consent from the photographer, except for minor cropping or resizing to fit display formats. Judging Criteria: Entries will be judged based on creativity, originality, and adherence to the contest theme. The decision of the judging panel is final and binding. Liability: By entering, participants agree to release Unique Photo and its affiliates from any liability, injury, loss, or damage of any kind arising from or in connection with this contest or any prize won. Privacy: Personal information collected during the contest will only be used for the purposes of administering the contest and will not be shared with third parties. Agreement to Rules: By participating, contestants agree to abide by these terms and conditions and the decisions of Unique Photo, which are final and binding in all matters related to the contest. Modifications: Unique Photo reserves the right to cancel, suspend, or modify the contest if necessary, due to technical issues or other unforeseen circumstances. For any questions or concerns regarding these terms, please contact us at [email protected]
Get a FREE $10 Token
with Purchase Of Class
Please note that there will be NO refunds or rescheduling for any NJCS class.
To roam the farthest corners of the Earth, where wild creatures live, is a privilege reserved for the adventurous few. CRISTINA MITTERMEIER is one of those few. She dedicates her life to creating images that help us understand the urgent need to protect our wild places. Cristina first discovered her insatiable passion for the natural world, both above and below the surface, as a Marine Biologist working in the Gulf of California and the Yucatan Peninsula. From there, it didn’t take her long to realize that she could make a bigger impact on how people see the world, and connect to it, through the lens of her camera than she could with data on spreadsheets.Today, Cristina is a National Geographic Photographer, Co-founder and President of the conservation society, SeaLegacy, a Sony Artisan of Imagery, is recognized as one of the World’s Top 40 Most Influential Outdoor Photographers by Outdoor Magazine and is the editor of 25 coffee table books on conservation issues. She is a sought-after Keynote Speaker and Presenter at events ranging from the Convention on Biological Diversity to the TEDx stage. Her images focus on demonstrating the important relationship between human cultures, especially indigenous people, and biodiversity that sustain not only them, but all of us. “Conservation is a puzzle,” she says. “Where many pieces have to fit together to make things work. For me, the choice of being a photographer means becoming piece of that puzzle. In the absence of that, for me, photography means nothing.”
Having worked in more than 100 countries on every continent in the world, Cristina builds a greater awareness of the responsibility that comes with being human. Her work is about the ethical imperative—the urgent reminder that we are inextricably linked to all other species on this planet and that we have a duty to act as the keepers of our fellow life forms.
Cristina has three grown children, each pursuing careers in science and conservation. She lives on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, with her partner, National Geographic Photographer and Filmmaker, Paul Nicklen.
Unique University® is the highly acclaimed education component of Unique Photo®, NJ’s only camera and video superstore. There is over 2000 sq. ft. of learning space, including our start-of-the art, 1000 sq. ft. main presentation hall. Unique University’s mission is to help our visitors “Create Better Pictures” by providing photography education for beginners to pros. With events daily, it is the place where photography groups such as local camera clubs, ASMP, PPA and others meet. We have a full curriculum of classes and seminars from world famous speakers such as Art Wolfe, Rick Sammon, Michael Yamashita, Tyler Stableford, Lindsay Adler, and Will Crockett. We offer photography experiences to such places as the Prudential Center for Seton Hall Men's Basketball, Meadowlands Horse Racetrack, Lakota Wolf Preserve, NJ Jackals Baseball, Rutgers Football, Botanical Gardens, Festival of Ballooning, and much more. Our technical classes include such topics as basic D-SLR photography, lighting techniques, Adobe Photoshop, Elements, and Lightroom, macro photography, composition, editing and printing, wedding photography, HDR photography, working with speedlights, how to use social media, digital organization, one-on-one instruction, and much more.
FAQ UNIVERSITY
Where are classes held?
Unless stated otherwise, classes are held in the Unique University classroom within the Unique Photo SuperStore (123 US Highway 46 West, Fairfield, NJ 07004).
What should I bring to class?
You're encouraged to bring your camera and a notebook and pen to most classes. Some classes will require additional equipment, so please check the class descriptions.
Will lunch or refreshments be included?
Lunch and refreshments are not provided for any classes under 6 hours unless noted.
How do I register for a class?
You can register online, in-store at the concierge, or by phone at either 973-377-6454 or 973-377-2007. Please note that you will need to provide payment information.
Can I register at the door?
For most classes, you're free to register at the concierge desk prior to the start of the class. Please note that there are some classes that offer "Early Bird Special" rates and others that have limited seating, so it would be in your best interest to register prior to the dates of such classes.
I wanted to register for ______ class, but it is now sold out. Is there a waiting list?
Please contact us at 973-377-6454 or [email protected] with the following information: your name, phone number, email address, and the class name and date.
My question has not been addressed here. Is there someone I can contact?
Please contact us at 973-377-6454 or [email protected] with any additional inquiries.
Unique University Class Cancellation Policy
- Classes costing less than $99 may be canceled up to 48 hours in advance for a full refund. For classes costing $100 or more, advanced notice of seven days before the class is necessary for a full refund.
- Requests for cancellation made after these deadlines will be awarded store credit in the amount paid for registration towards a future Unique University seminar or workshop.
- Cancellations made within 24 hours of the beginning of a class will not be honored and no refund or credit will be given.
- Cancellations of any class utilizing models will be subject to a cancellation fee of 50% of the purchased price (up to $100).
** Attention American Express cardholders: If you cancel a registration for a class costing $100 or more, there will be a 3% cancellation fee deducted from your refund or store credit.
Creators Challenge Contest Entry Form
How to Submit
1. Select the Choose Your Challenge dropdown in the form below to view each open contest.
2. Fill out the required information.
3. Select Upload or drag and drop your images.
4. Click Submit to send your photos!
(Up to 5 photos or videos entries per attendee)
Rules:
All photographers retain their copyrights to their images, but by entering into this contest, agree to allow usage on social media platforms for promotion.
Please upload a JPEG image. Please Re-size photographs to under 8MB per photo.
Please DO NOT include watermarks on photographs – Images will be disqualified from entry.
Please make sure to include your NAME and IMAGE TITLE in your FILE NAME.
Please get rid of erroneous numbers or edit numbers.
(Example: JohnSmith_CherryBlossoms.jpg)
If you are having trouble with this form, please email all of the information below and your photographs to: [email protected]
Winners will be announced a week after the deadline on Instagram @UniquePhoto.
Terms of Use:
Creators Challenge Contests Eligibility: Contests are open to individuals who are at least 18 years old at the time of entry. Employees, affiliates, and their immediate family members are not eligible to participate. Submission Guidelines: Photos must be original and submitted by the photographer. Submissions must not contain offensive, discriminatory, or inappropriate content. Number of photos submitted and submission deadline will be determined by the specific Creators Challenge contest. Copyright and Usage Rights: All photographers retain full copyrights to their submitted photos. By entering any Creators Challenge contest, participants grant Unique Photo a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to use, reproduce, and publish their submitted photos on social media platforms and other digital channels for promotional purposes. No modifications will be made to the photos without prior consent from the photographer, except for minor cropping or resizing to fit display formats. Judging Criteria: Entries will be judged based on creativity, originality, and adherence to the contest theme. The decision of the judging panel is final and binding. Liability: By entering, participants agree to release Unique Photo and its affiliates from any liability, injury, loss, or damage of any kind arising from or in connection with this contest or any prize won. Privacy: Personal information collected during the contest will only be used for the purposes of administering the contest and will not be shared with third parties. Agreement to Rules: By participating, contestants agree to abide by these terms and conditions and the decisions of Unique Photo, which are final and binding in all matters related to the contest. Modifications: Unique Photo reserves the right to cancel, suspend, or modify the contest if necessary, due to technical issues or other unforeseen circumstances. For any questions or concerns regarding these terms, please contact us at [email protected]