Mike Arnold

Zena's Z10 Ball

Private client · November 2025

A black-tie fundraising ball at Ashlar House in Bury St Edmunds — light-up letters, a packed dancefloor and not a single still moment, shot through the evening as the room let loose.

A private fundraising ball at Ashlar House in Bury St Edmunds. Black tie, light-up Z10 letters on a dancefloor lit blue and pink.

Fundraisers have a particular feel to them. Everyone's dressed up and on their best behaviour for the first hour, and then somewhere around the second song it goes completely. Groups of friends posing round their tables, a woman clutching her face in mock horror, couples hugging tight in the middle of the floor, an older guest in glasses leaning right into the lens with a grin.

The job on an evening like this is to be around long enough that nobody's performing for you any more. Most of my favourites came from the last part of the night.

Light-up Z10 letters on the dancefloor of a ballroom lit in blue and pink.
A group of friends in evening dresses posing together around their table.
A woman in a black dress reacting with mock surprise, hand to her face.
Two guests smiling over their shoulders on the dancefloor.
Three friends hugging close at their table, laughing.
Guests dancing together, one raising an arm mid-song.
A couple hugging tightly on the dancefloor, both beaming.
Two guests embracing amid glowing light sticks on the dancefloor.
A man in a white shirt clapping and laughing mid-song.
An older guest in glasses leaning towards the camera with a grin.
A young man in a waistcoat pulling shapes on the dancefloor.
A man pointing to the camera while dancing with a friend in blue.
A couple laughing together as they dance in pink light.