Capturing timeless femininity – Rebekka Eliza

Fusing creativity and sensitivity with her never-ending sense of curiosity, the work of Dutch-born photographer Rebekka Eliza conveys an essence of underlying strength. Her subjects’ femininity is always subtly but sensually celebrated; there is an enduring quality to each image that makes it feel as though it could have been snapped today, yesterday or tomorrow. Photography is a passion that runs deep within Rebekka’s soul, inspired by the very act of living and the abundant nature that surrounds us in Ibiza.

Rebekka’s career in the fashion world began in production and branding, followed by time spent as a self-taught designer – from Hong Kong, Bangkok and Istanbul to NYC – until she felt inspired to pick up a camera and start creating the types of advertising and editorial images she could envision for her clients herself. “I felt like there was something missing,” she explains. “At one point, I was working with a brand who couldn’t find a photographer whose work matched their concept, so I asked them to let me try. I rented a camera and shot some pieces in a studio using a friend as a model. It changed everything.”

Her natural affinity with the camera and innate talent meant she could once again teach herself the tools of her new trade, and since that pivotal moment, Rebekka has never looked back. Her eye for a striking silhouette has seen her work grace the pages of high-end fashion magazines such as Marie Claire, Elle, L’Officiel, ISSUE and White Ibiza Magazine. Commercial campaigns, lookbooks, luxury weddings and one-of-a-kind prints also sit among the pages of her multi-layered portfolio, one that grows and evolves with Rebekka’s determination to capture the perfect, timeless composition.

It was a work trip to Ibiza at the age of 23 that first piqued Rebekka’s interest in the white isle. “Even before I came here, I was so curious about the island,” she recalls. “Then I just kept on coming back. Ibiza is a place where I feel free – there’s no judgement here.” When she became a photographer, Rebekka felt drawn to relocate – inspired by the famously prismatic golden light that hugs both landscape and human form like molten amber. “The light in Ibiza is so different depending on the seasons,” she says. “It’s like there’s a different island out there, four times a year, it’s so versatile.”

Rebekka – who divides her time between Ibiza and Lisbon – finds endless motivation in the simplicity of nature: gentle strolls amid the morning rays with her dog, hills enshrouded by the scent of pine, and the space and time to be creative. And although Ibiza is her second home, as a gifted multi linguist (Rebekka speaks Dutch, English, Spanish and Portuguese), she travels and works all over Europe. It’s a skill that allows her to make anyone feel at ease professionally – in front and behind the camera – always getting the best out of her subjects. “The beauty of women and the beauty of nature are intertwined for me,” she says. “I find it so inspirational.”

On a personal level, she is warm and curious, helping clients to make mood boards and making creative suggestions to enhance the outcome of each shoot, and encouraging models to simultaneously reveal softness and courage. “I’m very visual, and my style is very in the moment,” Rebekka explains. “It almost has a documentary feel to it.” Chiaroscuro is often employed, using light and shadow to add drama to a simple shot of a cut-glass cheekbone, definition to a close-up of a knitted cuff, or breath-taking contrast to an otherwise delicate dress. The resulting images bring Rebekka’s visions to life, from the way jewellery is positioned and the hair and make-up direction to the styling and beyond.

That same idea of nowness is embraced when Rebekka shoots private weddings. “I love to shoot beauty and fashion – weddings were not something I initially wanted to do,” she admits. “Then, there was a client who really wanted my exact editorial and reportage style for their wedding photos, so I said I’d do it and I really enjoyed it.” From intimate church ceremonies to luxurious three-day affairs that encompass pre-wedding dinners, the pre-ceremony preparations, beautiful dinners, late night dancing and much more, Rebekka now lends her skills to only a handful of very select events per year. “I always listen to the couple’s personal stories because it helps me to get into their minds, and that way I can meld my work with their vision on the day.”

Outside of her commercial and professional work, Rebekka also creates elegant works that reflect her own style and taste. Currently selling two private collections online with Dutch gallery, Tones Gallery, each is a more personal retrospective on themes she finds intriguing. ‘Fragments’ explores the creation of lines and shapes in conjunction with light and shadows, while ’Beauty & Nature’ delves into the most recurring element of Rebekka’s work: the intimate relationship between femininity and nature. With clients including Liya in Antwerp, Mateo in New York and model agencies in Paris among many others, Rebekka’s schedule fills up fast. Wherever her work takes her however, Rebekka always embraces the feeling of coming home when she returns to Ibiza, finding refuge and recharging her creative spark on its sun-baked shores.

Light, shape and form

Ana Lui’s rise as Ibiza’s premier photographer has been stratospheric. Born in Warsaw, Ana graduated in Media Arts at Plymouth University after which she decided UK life was not for her. A season working in Ibiza cemented her love for the island and she made the move in 2007. Finding her island feet didn’t take long and she soon made her mark as Ibiza’s most sought-after wedding and event photographer, creating a brand that has seen her flown to nuptials all over the world. Having conquered the wedding market, Ana found herself in a position to add more bows to her quiver. She began to pursue her dream of branching into travel photography and her images – of Asia, the Caribbean, North Africa and Europe among other destinations – now grace the covers of the world’s leading travel magazines including Conde Nast Traveller UK. Never one to remain in the status quo, Ana is now focusing her lens on architecture, interiors and lifestyle. Inspiration came from roaming the globe for her travel photography, which often included shooting the most luxurious, unique properties and hotels. “I found that I really enjoyed that side of my work,” she says. “It’s about light and shape and form.”

Representing the choices of an architect and designer, using a camera and available light is an art form in itself. Everybody can take a snap of the Empire State building but few can truly capture its essence. “I am interested in telling a unique story of the people, idea and concept behind every design and structure,” explains Ana, who also styles the properties as she shoots. “I like to show the process that’s involved and all the emotions. It’s not typical estate agency photography.” As Ana has become more immersed in this new side of her work, she has developed a broad knowledge base. “I began to recognise designers by the style of their work and to understand the importance of certain materials,” she says. “It’s a different world for me and I’m totally fascinated by it.” This growing knowledge contributes a whole new meaning to her images, allowing for the design process to be transmitted through the camera and onto the page.

READ MORE ABOUT ANA LUI PHOTOGRAPHY

In recent years Ana has moved into the realm of film photography, introducing a new aesthetic to her work. Photographing on film allows for a certain ambience to permeate the images. “There’s a quality that is hard to pin down when you shoot on film,” says Ana. “It has a more human touch.” Grain, light, texture and depth of field all play a role in film photography creating a multi-layered finish that enhances the angles and shadows within an architectural photo. While film was Ana’s first love, the digital medium provides her with room to really play with style. Having the skills to shoot on both formats allows her clients and collaborators more choice and control over the results. Different projects require different approaches; the flexibility to choose is what makes Ana’s work distinctive. “My goal is to transmit a structure’s spirit and story,” she says. “Some stories respond to film, others to digital. Each one is unique.”

Ibiza provides a lot of scope for architectural photography. The island’s architecture runs the gamut from 400-year-old ancient stone edifices dripping in character to jaw-dropping examples of minimalist design. The island’s interior designers have created spaces steeped in island traditions from farmhouse chic and bohemian treasure troves to Scandi wholesomeness and contemporary elegance. For design and photography aficionados, Ibiza provides a kaleidoscope of options. For Ana Lui, the island is a never-ending source of inspiration and coupled with her global travels, she is never short of stimulating subjects. Motivated by a love of storytelling through images, her work possesses a unique ambience that showcases her personal desire for knowledge. The foray into architecture and design will be a delight not only for her but also for design geeks across the world.