‘Nature is always giving, it encourages me to keep on making,’ says the Anglesey-based film photographer. Here, Lena shares memories from her wild-inspired life – from the ancient rock formations of Lleiniog Beach to the wild horses on the island where she lives.

Finding Meaning

I’m a film photographer from North Wales in the UK. The landscape here has always inspired me to take photos, so naturally I started off documenting my environment – the coastline and places I found on my travels across the island. Over time, I started experimenting with self-portraiture and portraits of other people. Now I’m at a place where photography is so central to my life, I can’t imagine what I’d be doing without it.

I shoot mainly with one film camera and only a couple of lenses, so the only decision really is which film stock to use. I had a digital camera a few years ago, but I didn’t enjoy using it and I eventually stopped taking photos, but the second I picked up my film camera, I started shooting again – at that point, I knew that digital wasn’t for me. Film is so much more organic: the whole process and history of it and the fact you’re dealing with something tangible. I love how it looks and feels.

“I like to photograph anything that touches on the spiritual because I’m always trying to find more meaning. So, I’m drawn to places or things that have a spiritual feel.”

My Instagram handle @love.errs is inspired by the poet William Blake. He used to write riddles with his wife and one of them was ‘love errs equals lovers’. I like the idea that as lovers we all err, we all make mistakes, because we are human, and no love is perfect. Except for the love of what you may or may not call God… I like to photograph anything that touches on the spiritual because I’m always trying to find more meaning. So, I’m drawn to places or things that have a spiritual feel.

Beyond The Pines

These images were all taken on the island where I live. There is one place in particular that I love to go to because it’s so untouched by humans – it’s the Newborough Warren nature reserve, which is set on sand dunes. There is a herd of wild horses, at least a hundred, and in summer the dunes are covered with so many different wildflowers, insects and birds, and just beyond the warren is the sea and to the right is the woods. It really is a magical place, and I’ve loved getting to know the horses and capturing them on film.

“There is a herd of wild horses, at least a hundred, and in summer the dunes are covered with so many different wildflowers... It really is a magical place”

Anglesey has so many wonderful little places. I would recommend anyone visiting to drive around and explore as much as they can. Look for the wild orchids in Newborough Warren and the pink sea thrift on the coastline growing on the cliffs. Make a stop at Green Olive, a great vegan cafe in Menai Bridge – the menu changes regularly, but the breakfasts are always really good.

Sunrise To Sunset

Lleiniog Beach near Beaumaris is another sweet little spot. There is a river that runs down to the beach and some amazing rocks on the shore that were formed in the Ice Age. It’s great for an early morning walk as it faces sunrise.

I visit this beach quite regularly as it’s close to my house. I think I must have visited it for the first time as a child, but I can’t quite remember. I like it because you have to cross a little river that’s lined by reeds which make a lovely sound in the wind, then you follow a narrow path that has a vista of trees above it and just through the end of the vista the beach comes into view, and you can see these huge rocks on the shore. It’s quite stunning and there is an ancient feel to the place. When the sun is going down behind the hill you always get that deep blue colour, too. I’ve gone there on a few summer evenings with my camera.

Photography by Lena Aires. Follow her wild-inspired life lenaaires.com / @love.errs