Yana Skakun
Journal
Photography Blog
Tips, guides, venue spotlights and behind-the-scenes stories from my photography sessions across England.
Portrait Tips
7 August 2026·10 min read
What to Wear for Yoga and Wellness Photography
Yoga, pilates, and wellness photography serves a specific and commercially important purpose — from instructor profiles to studio websites to personal branding for coaches. What you wear shapes how authentically the practice comes across. This guide covers activewear calibrated for camera performance, colour decisions for studio and outdoor sessions, brand consistency, and what undermines wellness imagery.
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Portrait Tips
5 August 2026·10 min read
What to Wear for a Birthday Portrait Session
A birthday portrait session is one of the most personally meaningful reasons to book a professional photoshoot — a deliberate celebration of exactly where you are now. This guide covers outfit choices that reflect your personality, milestone birthday considerations, multi-look planning, hair and makeup, and what photographers most often see going wrong.
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Photography Tips
4 August 2026·8 min read
How to feel confident at a photo session: A complete preparation guide
Almost everyone feels nervous before a professional photo session. Here is what actually produces confidence on camera — and how to prepare for a session that feels natural rather than awkward.
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Wedding Tips
4 August 2026·9 min read
Eloping in the UK: A complete guide to elopement photography (2025)
Thinking of eloping? Here's everything you need to know — from the legal requirements and best locations across the UK to choosing the right photographer for your intimate ceremony.
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Family Tips
3 August 2026·10 min read
What to Wear for Dog Walking Portrait Photography
Dog walking portrait sessions are lifestyle photography at its most genuinely relaxed — you and your dog in a familiar outdoor setting. But looking intentional and at ease simultaneously requires careful clothing choices. This guide covers practical outdoor clothing that reads well on camera, coordinating with your dog's colouring, seasonal considerations, and what to avoid.
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Photography Tips
1 August 2026·6 min read
Brand Photography Mood Board: How to Plan Your Visual Style
A mood board is the most efficient communication tool between you and your photographer. Here's how to build one that actually directs the session rather than decorating a folder.
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Portrait Tips
1 August 2026·10 min read
What to Wear for University Graduation Photography
University graduation happens once — and the photographs from that day last a lifetime. This guide covers what to wear under the graduation gown, family coordination for group portraits, post-ceremony outfit choices, colour on historic campus backgrounds, and practical advice for an all-day event.
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Wedding Tips
30 July 2026·10 min read
What to Wear for Bridal Shower and Hen Party Photography
Bridal shower and hen party photography captures genuine celebration before the wedding. What the group wears shapes the visual cohesion of the photographs. This guide covers what the bride-to-be should wear, group coordination strategies from matching to relaxed, bridesmaid choices, prop and accessory use, and what typically undermines these sessions.
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Wedding Tips
28 July 2026·10 min read
What to Wear for Winter Wedding Photography
Winter weddings in England create photographs with a distinctive palette: low golden light, bare trees, frost, and warm interior contrast. This guide covers bridal gown choices for cold conditions, suiting for winter light, wedding party coordination, working with the cold practically, and accessories that make the most of the season.
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Photography Tips
28 July 2026·7 min read
Men's portrait photography: How to look your best in front of the camera
Most men are not comfortable being photographed. Here is a guide — for both men and their photographers — on how to produce natural, confident, flattering portraits of men.
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Venue Spotlights
27 July 2026·8 min read
Harbourside Wedding Venues in Bristol: Waterside Celebrations
Bristol's Harbourside offers a unique setting for weddings — renovated warehouses, dramatic waterside views, the SS Great Britain as backdrop, and the Clifton Suspension Bridge visible on the skyline. This guide covers the best harbourside venues and photography opportunities in Bristol.
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Portrait Tips
26 July 2026·10 min read
What to Wear for Rugby Portrait Photography
Rugby portraits celebrate physical commitment and team identity — and what you wear shapes whether the portrait reads as authentic and powerful. This guide covers playing kit preparation, casual outfit options, colour and background relationships, team coordination, and practical advice for both on-field and off-field portrait sessions.
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Photography Blog — Tips, Guides & Inspiration
Welcome to the photography blog by Yana Skakun — a professional photographer based in Cambridge, England. This journal covers everything from practical wedding planning guides and engagement session advice to family photoshoot tips, newborn photography guides, portrait session prep, and venue spotlights across Cambridgeshire, London, and East England.
Whether you're a couple planning your wedding, a family getting ready for a seasonal portrait session, or a professional preparing for a headshot shoot — you'll find honest, experience-based advice here. Every article is written from real sessions and years of capturing life's most meaningful moments across England.