About us
Wild Arena at Forsinard Lodge
Wild Arena is a photography company based in the far north of Scotland. Founded in 2003, it is now run by directors David Southard, Janet Southard and Adrienne Nicholas.
Our home is Forsinard Lodge, set within the extraordinary landscapes of the Flow Country in Sutherland. From here we host photography holidays, workshops and creative learning experiences, alongside offering accommodation and a welcoming tearoom for visitors passing through this beautiful and peaceful part of the Highlands.
David and Janet bring decades of combined experience across many areas of photography. Working with both digital and analogue processes, their approach blends technical knowledge with a strong belief in photography as a creative and expressive medium. Over the past twenty years Wild Arena has welcomed thousands of guests to workshops, holidays and courses, helping photographers develop confidence, skills and their own personal vision.
Adrienne’s background is in personnel and law, but her real passion is baking. She is the heart of the hospitality at the lodge, creating the warm atmosphere and wonderful food that many guests remember as fondly as the photography itself.
Wild Arena began life in Hampshire before moving north to Scotland. Over the years David and Janet have developed strong relationships across the wider photographic industry and continue to collaborate with leading brands including Canon, Manfrotto, Gitzo, Lowepro, Lastolite, Elinchrom, Samyang, Atomos and Cokin.
At its heart, Wild Arena is built around three simple pleasures: photography, beautiful places and good company — ideally with excellent cake. If that sounds like something you might enjoy, we would love to welcome you.
Our Philosophy
At Wild Arena we believe photography should be inspiring, rewarding and deeply personal. Our aim is to create a welcoming environment where photographers of all experience levels can explore their creativity, develop new skills and enjoy meaningful time with their cameras.
Through small-group workshops, immersive learning experiences and relaxed photography holidays, we provide guidance that supports each guest’s individual journey. Some people come to refine technical skills, others to reconnect with creativity, and many simply to spend time in inspiring places with like-minded people.
Whatever the motivation, our role is to help make the experience enjoyable, supportive and creatively fulfilling.
Our Approach
Photography is both a craft and an art. At Wild Arena we try to balance both.
Our events combine thoughtful tuition, inspiring locations and a relaxed atmosphere that encourages experimentation and curiosity. We believe learning happens best when people feel comfortable asking questions, trying new ideas and sharing their work with others.
The journey of photography is rarely about quick answers or rigid rules. Instead it is about developing ways of seeing, understanding light and composition, and finding your own creative voice.
If we can help someone take even a small step forward in that journey, then we feel we have succeeded.
Mission
Our mission is to support photographers in creating meaningful images through thoughtful guidance, inspiring environments and a welcoming community.
We aim to provide experiences that encourage creativity, curiosity and confidence, while fostering an atmosphere where everyone — guests, staff and collaborators — feels valued and inspired.
At Wild Arena we believe that photography is not only about capturing the world around us, but also about discovering how we choose to see it.
“I really believe there are things nobody would see if I didn’t photograph them.”
Diane Arbus
Meet our Team
Guides, Creators, Hosts
I’ve worked in the photography industry since I was 16, starting out in camera shops where I developed a strong interest in both the technical and creative sides of photography. Those early years gave me the opportunity to handle a huge range of cameras and equipment, and helped build the knowledge that still underpins my approach today.
I work with both digital and analogue systems and enjoy using a range of different cameras depending on the subject and situation. I regularly use Canon equipment alongside Fujifilm medium format cameras, and I also maintain a large collection of analogue cameras. In recent years I’ve been enjoying returning to film photography, and I’m currently planning the creation of a darkroom so I can spend more time working with traditional black-and-white processes again.
I’ve loved photography since receiving my first camera at the age of 13. That early curiosity led me to study photography at college, where I developed a strong grounding in traditional techniques, spending many hours working with film, medium format cameras, and black-and-white darkroom printing.
Over the years I’ve worked with a wide range of camera systems and still regularly use Canon equipment, while also enjoying the flexibility of smaller Fujifilm system for certain types of photography. For me, the camera itself is simply a tool — the real joy comes from slowing down, observing the landscape closely, and learning to notice the small details that make each place unique.
After a 25-year career in HR and qualifying as a solicitor, I decided it was time for a change of pace and to follow something I had always loved — cooking. That decision eventually led me to join Wild Arena in 2018.
Cooking has always been something I’ve enjoyed, particularly preparing homemade food that people can relax and enjoy after a day out exploring the Highlands. Whether it’s baking for the tea room, preparing breakfasts for guests, or creating meals for photography holiday groups, I enjoy making sure everyone is looked after.