words Onur Baştürk

photos Ana Lui

Ana Lui has been a travel photographer in Ibiza for 13 years and the first thing I feel when I look at her photos is..: Naturalness, simplicity and, of course, the desire to live on the island because of the appetizing energy of life in her Ibiza + Mallorca photos... I caught up with the ever-mobile Ana in Mallorca and quickly asked her everything I was curious about. 

 

Would you say that finding good light and being constantly on the move are the two most important elements of your life? What other elements would you add?

 

Yes, I only use natural light, and I always try to feel the space before I shoot. I believe there is beauty in everything - in every subject, in every place, in every person. It's just a matter of capturing it in the most serene and loving way. 

 

Thanks to Instagram, travel photography has become a profession that everyone aspires to. What advice would you give to those who want to do it? 

 

I think starting locally is a great idea for all beginners. Photograph and film all the new businesses or cool artisans in your town. Having an existing content makes you more desirable to all the magazines, blogs and brands that need images from your area. I remember shooting most of the places in Ibiza just for fun before I was approached by Condé Nast Traveller. My best advice is to be proactive and create every day! 

 

What are the most impressive places that you have ever photographed?

 

Every place is so unique and special, but I think for me, in terms of nature and landscape, it was the Azores. I also loved my little trip to Harbour Island in the Bahamas, which was a totally idyllic place where all my senses relaxed and felt nourished. 

 

Interior design often plays a major role in your photos. What style of interiors do you like?

 

I love interiors. I'm currently launching my new business called "Core Living", which will focus on renovating old houses in Mallorca and transforming them into modern living sanctuaries, focusing mainly on sustainability and well-being. I love functional spaces that are very simple yet soothing. Our home should be a sanctuary, a place where we can escape from the chaos of the world and find inner peace.

 

I PRACTICE IQM EVERY DAY AND BEFORE/DURING EVERY SHOOT

 

Can you tell us about the Quantum Healing (IQM) that you practice every day? How did you begin to work with this technique? Do you practice this technique before the photo shoot? 

 

I started practicing Quantum Healing in 2019, but before that I used a lot of visualization techniques, created vision boards for each year and did daily affirmations, which I think helped me a lot in booking my dream photography clients and getting the most amazing travel jobs. I practice IQM every day and before/during every shoot I do and this is something I will be talking about in my upcoming photography workshop. I'm super excited to share my techniques and holistic approach to photography with everyone very soon!  

 

IBIZA IS MORE RAW AND SPONTANEOUS 

 

What are the most impressive places that you have ever photographed?

 

Every place is so unique and special, but I think for me, in terms of nature and landscape, it was the Azores. I also loved my little trip to Harbour Island in the Bahamas, which was a totally idyllic place where all my senses relaxed and felt nourished. 

 

You love Mallorca and Ibiza. What makes you happy about these two islands? 

 

Island life is definitely something that makes me happy! With a Mediterranean climate, stunning landscapes and beautiful beaches, these islands are perfect for relaxing. Mallorca's rich history, beautiful architecture, vibrant culture and delicious cuisine combined with a very interesting arts and crafts scene make it the place where I feel most at home. Ibiza, famous for its nightlife, is a little wilder. Ibiza is more raw and spontaneous. Both islands encourage a healthy and active lifestyle, with plenty of opportunities for hiking, swimming and sunbathing, as well as access to local and fresh produce. 

 

SHOOTING THE MADE IN IBIZA BOOK WAS AN INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE 

 

What are your favorite places in Mallorca and Ibiza?

 

In Mallorca I am currently based in Palma and very close to the Santa Catalina area. I enjoy having all the healthy cafes, yoga studios, fresh markets and beautiful seafront on my doorstep. Away from Palma, I love walking around Biniaraix, Formentor beach, Portixol for a quick drink at sunset, I love the drive from Deia to Andratx and I am really into the nudist part of Es Trenc beach at the moment. 

 

In Ibiza you can usually find me having breakfast at Passion in Marina Botafoch, lunch at La Paloma in the middle of the island and dinner at Hambre in Santa Eulalia or Il Buco in Santa Gertrudis. I also love Ses Boques for a quick dip and a plate of fried sardines, Dalt Vila old town for a sunset cocktail, hidden beaches around San Joan and for clubbing I think I'm a HI Ibiza girl (toilet is the place to be). I'm serious, the best party is always at the HI toilet! 

 

Your photographs are also featured in the book "Made in Ibiza". What parts of the island have you photographed? And can you tell us about the more undiscovered, hidden corners of Ibiza?

 

Shooting the Made In Ibiza book was an incredible experience. Because I have been living on the island for 13 years, I met people and creatives I had never met before. Focusing on the talented artisans, farmers and artists who make the island a better place showed me another side of the island. We visited and photographed all the talents all over the island, either in their homes or at their workplaces. I learned a lot about the roots of Ibiza and I am very lucky to have been part of this project. 

 

SOMERTIMES THE PACE HERE IS SLOW AND STAGNANT, BUT I LEARN TO APPRECIATE IT MORE AND MORE EACH YEAR  

 

What are your favorite things about Mediterranean culture?

 

I think a healthy lifestyle and being outdoors most of the time. Spaniards are very active and social people. They like to be outside and they like to get together and celebrate life. Celebrating the little things in life and having a siesta or a lazy Sunday, prioritizing mental well-being is something we shouldn't take for granted. Sometimes the pace here is slow and stagnant, but I learn to appreciate it more and more each year.