📸 “Stories of Light” Shines Bright in Iquique with an Unforgettable Day of Photography, Inspiration, and Emotion

Salón Tarapacá, Iquique — March 25, 2025. With a completely packed venue, a historic day unfolded for the photographic community of northern Chile. Stories of Light, the first Nikon Creators event in Iquique, exceeded all expectations with a massive turnout and a deeply emotional and inspiring experience for all attendees.

Organized by Fundación Robi, with official support from Nikon and backing from the Municipality of Iquique, the event brought together more than 230 people — including professional photographers, enthusiasts, students, and entire families — for a gathering where the image was just the beginning of a conversation about purpose, sensitivity, and transformation.

✨ A Journey That Began with Light and Heart

From 3:00 PM, attendees began filling Salón Tarapacá, in an atmosphere full of palpable excitement. The event opened with a vibrant artistic performance by the Corona School dance group, moving the audience with their energy and symbolism — a powerful start to a gathering that promised much more than photographic technique.

The charismatic host, Julio Robert, with his blend of humor, magic, and warmth, served as the perfect guide through this journey of illuminating stories.

🌱 Nature, Air, Detail, and Emotion: The Talks

One by one, the six speakers shared their art, their vision, and their life stories:

• Benjamín Valenzuela connected us to nature and the urgency of preserving it through his work in Chile’s national parks.

  
  

  

  
  

• Guy Wenborne elevated the senses with his poetic aerial vision of the country, inviting us to view Chile from the sky.

  
  

  

  
  

• Mauricio Ballesteros transported us into the invisible universe of macro photography, revealing the beauty of the tiniest forms.

  
  

  

  
  

• Anyela Aragón moved hearts with her Women of the Mountains project, an ode to feminine courage in extreme settings.

  

• Maxi Oviedo, a renowned wedding photographer, shared his approach to visual storytelling, composition, and emotion in a practical, relatable way.

  
  

  

  
  

• Roberto Corona closed the event with his emotional talk Photography with Purpose, recounting his journey through more than 100 countries capturing smiles with his global project Collecting Smiles.

🎶 Music, Magic, and Connection: A Multisensory Experience

Talented local singer Savka Gómez performed a touching version of Beautiful Things, moving the audience to tears. The artistic interludes and the magic of Julio Robert created a unique atmosphere where art, emotion, and human connection interwove throughout the entire day.

🎁 Raffles, Prizes, and a Closing with Identity

Thanks to the official support of Nikon, many prizes were raffled, including a Z30 camera and exclusive products. The crowd erupted in cheers when the main prize winner was announced.

The perfect finale was brought by the Brisas de Chile folk group with their piece Northern Festivity: The Awakening of the Carnavalón, filling the stage with color, tradition, and joy — leaving the audience on their feet, applauding to the rhythm of local culture.

💛 Voices That Reflect the Light: Attendee Testimonials

Social media lit up with gratitude and excitement. Some attendees shared their impressions:

@culturacalata: “Thank you for organizing this photography event with Nikon Creators. Their photos, stories, and sense of purpose truly moved me — so inspiring to see people helping others through what they love to do.”

Cristian Ramírez: “Hi Roberto… I’m also from Iquique. I attended yesterday’s event at Salón Tarapacá, and it was fantastic, emotional, and inspiring. I’m not a professional photographer, but I’m on my way...”

@karikasi: “Thank you so much. What you do is beautiful and very inspiring. ‘If we come from the stars, then it’s time to shine.’❤️”

🌟 A Milestone for Iquique

Stories of Light was not just a photography event. It was a human gathering, a cultural decentralization initiative, and a space to inspire through art. Its success, made possible by the support of Nikon and the Municipality of Iquique, demonstrates the power of public-private collaboration in regional cultural development.

“We dreamed of bringing this event to our city, and seeing Salón Tarapacá full of excited people learning and connecting was simply magical. This is just the beginning,” expressed an emotional Roberto Corona, organizer and speaker.

With a community inspired and uplifted, Stories of Light sets the stage to become a pivotal event in the cultural calendar of the region.