Well, here we are on the other side of an amazing seminar! We were once again treated to an incredible lineup of speakers this year—more on that below. Plus, so many of you took part in the Print Walk that it was almost overwhelming to take in the depth and breadth of work on display. I’m sure we’ve all had our creative neurons firing ever since.
Looking back, it was also just a lot of fun. It was incredible to see the hall at full capacity—it certainly would have been difficult to squeeze in many more seats! We’re also confident that the in-person nature of the seminar remains both important and appreciated by everyone who made the trip to Bournemouth for all or part of the weekend.
And so, we move forward into another exciting year of photography and seminar planning…
Seminar 2026 ‘Save The Date’ (Revised)
During the seminar, we announced the dates for 2026 as March 6th–8th.
However, it turns out there was an error, and this weekend has already been booked for another event. We sincerely apologize for the mix-up.
To avoid conflicts with Mother’s Day and school holidays, the next best option is March 20th–22nd, 2026. Mark your calendars and save the dates!
2026 will be our 40th seminar—a milestone worth celebrating. We hope to see you there!
Review of 2025 Seminar
As always, the seminar began with plenty of catching up with old friends over a drink before dinner.
This year, we also had the pleasure of welcoming many new faces to the Arena Seminar. It’s a joy to see that the appeal of such an immersive photographic weekend continues to resonate with a new audience.
We certainly hope these newcomers will return in the years to come as Arena continues to grow and evolve.
The Print Walk once again proved to be incredibly popular, with more tables squeezed into the hall at the last minute to accommodate additional demand.
Having the chance to chat with the creators of such a diverse range of work is a rarity these days, so we all made the most of the opportunity. My personal favorite was a series of images, each cleverly backlit by twinkling Christmas fairy lights hidden behind the frames. It was such a delight!
Paul Foley…thank you
After 20 years of tireless work curating an exceptional program of speakers year after year, Paul Foley has decided to hand over the reins.
As a token of appreciation, Paul was presented with a gift to recognize the incredible dedication and effort that goes into creating such broad and diverse programs each year.
Once again, a huge thank you to Paul for his hard work and commitment over the years!
Arena Editions
A big thank you to Paul Mitchell and Ted Sturgeon for taking on the challenge of producing a new set of Arena Editions and managing the process so expertly.
Each Arena member has used their own ‘Edition’ to showcase a portfolio of work that best represents their photographic passions.
The editions were available individually, with the overall design reflecting the concept of a cohesive set.
Print runs were very limited, and some have already sold out. If you purchased your favorites at the seminar, be sure to look after them—they will soon become collectors’ items!
All the editions are shown on the website here. If you’re interested in purchasing an Arena Members’ Edition, please contact the member directly.
Looking forward
As we move forward, we’ll continue to keep you updated on all things Arena. There’s plenty to look forward to this coming year, especially as we prepare for our 40th Seminar in March 2026.
It was incredible to see the lecture theatre at the Riviera Hotel in Bournemouth at full capacity, so be sure to save the date and book as soon as registration opens to avoid disappointment!
Until next time…