Meet the Makers: The Main Event at Carlowrie Castle
If the opening evening at The New Club was about intimate conversations, the main event of the Meet the Makers gathering was an absolute masterclass in scale, energy, and pure celebration.
Hosted at the spectacular 19th-century Carlowrie Castle just outside Edinburgh, the day brought together a sold-out crowd of 250 global guests from over 20 countries. Standing out on the castle grounds, surrounded by the dramatic baronial architecture, the sound of Highland pipers, and an unbelievable energy, I couldn't help but feel incredibly proud to visually bring this story to life.
First and foremost, I want to express my deepest gratitude and send a special thank you to the two main organizers of this spectacular gathering: TOR Imports (@tor_imports) and Robert Graham 1874 (@robertgraham1874). Being invited by them and trusted with the entire stills photography coverage for an event of this magnitude was a profound honor.
The day itself was an incredible convergence of the world’s finest New World cigars and historic Scotch whiskies. Beyond the camera, one of the most rewarding parts of the weekend was the chance to connect—and reconnect—with true legends and friends in the industry. It was fantastic catching up with the teams from Joya de Nicaragua (@joyadenicaragua) and Steve Saka of Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust (@stevesaka), alongside Thomas Gryson of Oliva Cigars, Abdel Fernandez of AJ Fernandez (@ajf_cigars), and Nick Perdomo of Perdomo Cigars (@perdomocigars). It was equally wonderful to spend time sharing ideas with Katja Gnann, Editor-in-Chief of Cigar Journal (@cigarjournalmag), and the famous British writer and author Nick Hammond (@nickhammondwriter), among so many other distinguished figures in the cigar world.
From an editorial perspective, the visual storytelling was endless. The itinerary featured expert panel debates and rare masterclasses inside the marquee, but a personal highlight to shoot was the traditional Highland Games out on the lawn. Capturing guests competing in the tossing of the caber and shot put against the backdrop of the beautiful castle grounds was an absolute blast.
What made the entire experience truly unforgettable, however, was the collective heart behind it. The day culminated in a lively charity auction that raised over US$30,000 for three crucial children's and education charities, providing vital support both locally in Scotland and back home in Estelí, Nicaragua. Knowing that my photographs documented a global community coming together to create genuine, structural change made this project incredibly close to my heart.
A massive thank you to the hosts, the makers, and everyone who made this landmark event a definitive highlight of my year.
Read the beautiful full event summary over at Robert Graham 1874 and stay updated on future gatherings via @meetthemakersuk.
Event: Meet the Makers UK
Stills Photography: Otto Mejia
Venues & Makers Info: Meet the Makers – The Makers
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#structuralphotography #strategicphotos #photographyforbusiness #shootthetarget #gearup
