October 10, 2025, marked a turning point for Santiago Arias. At just 21 years old, he received the first prize in the international photography contest organized by the Australian magazine Crikey, directed by the Irwin family.
The award was much more than a distinction: it connected his passion for conservation with the legacy of one of his greatest influences. For him, the prize represents a boost to continue showcasing the natural beauty of Argentina and strengthen his environmental commitment.
The winning image, titled A Great Comeback, was taken in the Impenetrable Chaco. It features Porá, a reintroduced jaguar as part of an ecological restoration project. The photograph not only celebrates the return of an emblematic species but also highlights a reforestation program aimed at recovering degraded ecosystems.
Its publication on the magazine’s cover brought this conservation story to thousands of readers worldwide. This achievement, however, also highlights the importance of nurturing vocations from childhood and promoting real contact with nature.
Childhood among Salta’s mountains and the discovery of a unique perspective
Santiago grew up in Salta, surrounded by vast landscapes and silences that shaped his sensitivity. From a young age, he spent hours exploring the family fields, observing animals and following tracks among trees and grasslands. Unknowingly, this habit paved the way for the perspective that would later define his photography.
His first encounters with images came from the wildlife encyclopedias that fascinated him. At 12, he began experimenting: first with a tablet, then with a camera his uncle lent him. What started as a game ended up becoming a way to understand the world.
Over time, he discovered that photography was not just a record but a tool to organize his way of seeing. Freezing moments intrigued him and drove him to keep searching for scenes that revealed something more. This constant exercise gradually shaped an increasingly clear visual identity.
A leap of faith and a country that revealed new ways of seeing
After finishing high school, he thought he needed a “conventional” career. He tried studying marketing but realized that path distanced him from his essence. Finally, he decided to fully dedicate himself to photography, even though the future was uncertain.
This leap led him to travel to different corners of the country with his camera as a guide. For months, he took images without a defined direction until one day he decided to focus on animals. The patient encounter with birds was decisive in understanding his vocation.
He soon discovered that each region of Argentina taught him a different way of relating to time. The north captivated him with its contrast between intense colors and deep stillness. Patagonia transformed him with its vastness and its sense of natural boundary.
The encounter with the jaguar and a vocation that becomes a cause
One of the most impactful moments of his journey was encountering a jaguar. The presence of the feline, its silence, and its power revealed to him the fragility of the ecosystem surrounding it. That moment marked an internal shift that led him to take on a deeper commitment.
From then on, he began collaborating with teams that monitor vulnerable species. His photos serve as support for studies on behavior, distribution, or human impact. Art combined with science to highlight issues that often go unnoticed.
He also joined environmental awareness campaigns in wetlands, forests, and woodlands. His photographic contribution aims to awaken empathy and bring nature closer to those who don’t have direct contact with it. Santiago asserts that beauty is a powerful engine to protect what still accompanies us.
Iberá and the lessons of a model that unites conservation and community
Among the places that most impacted him are the Iberá Wetlands. There, he understood that conservation not only benefits ecosystems but also transforms lives. The reintroduction of wildlife spurred an economic change that benefited local communities.
Residents who depended on hunting or fishing found in ecotourism a sustainable alternative. This process demonstrated that environmental restoration can coexist with human development. For Santiago, Iberá symbolizes what is possible when nature becomes an ally.
The diversity of the wetland and its constant recovery inspire him to continue capturing stories that show hope. His photographs aim to spread this model so that other regions replicate its spirit. Seeing the results firsthand strengthened his conviction that conservation is a collective path.
A message for a generation between awareness and disconnection
The international award deeply moved him because the magazine belongs to the Irwin family. Since childhood, he admired Steve Irwin and his passionate way of bringing wildlife to the public. Being recognized by that legacy motivates him to continue showcasing the natural wealth of Argentina.
Santiago observes that his generation lives between environmental awareness and digital disconnection. The excess of stimuli makes it difficult to find the calm necessary to observe and understand the environment. Even so, he believes that more and more young people seek real experiences with nature.
He considers that social media can be a powerful tool if used responsibly. They allow bringing nature to people who have never had direct access to it. For him, environmental education also involves images that convey emotion and curiosity.
A philosophy that guides every shot: protecting through beauty
For Santiago, photography is not just technique but also patience and respect. He learned that a good image is born from the connection with the environment and the ability to convey a story. His goal is not to show destruction but inspiration.
He wants those who see his photos to feel love for what exists and want to protect it. He believes that no one defends what they do not know, so his mission is to bring wildlife closer to people. His work is a bridge between emotion and conservation.
Through his lens, nature ceases to be a distant postcard and becomes an essential part of our identity. That message is the heart of his project: reconnect to defend. And, while doing so, Santiago continues to build a body of work that celebrates life in all its forms.
