Yana Skakun
Journal
Photography Blog
Tips, guides, venue spotlights and behind-the-scenes stories from my photography sessions across England.
Wedding Tips
10 July 2026·8 min read
What to Wear for a First Birthday Cake Smash Session
A practical, honest guide to choosing outfits, colours and props for a first birthday cake smash session — what actually works once buttercream is involved, and what to avoid.
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Wedding Tips
10 July 2026·7 min read
5 Popular Themes for Cake Smash Photoshoots in 2026
From muted boho neutrals to vintage heirloom styling, here are five cake smash themes proving popular for 2026 first-birthday sessions — with honest advice on what actually photographs well.
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Wedding Tips
10 July 2026·8 min read
How to Prepare Your Baby for a Cake Smash Photoshoot
From nap timing to outfit choices, a practical guide to getting your baby ready for a stress-free, joyful cake smash session on their first birthday.
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Wedding Tips
10 July 2026·8 min read
What Is a Cake Smash Session? Everything Parents Need to Know
From choosing a cake and colour scheme to timing it right and coping with a baby who is not sure about mess, here is an honest, practical guide to what really happens during a first birthday cake smash session.
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Wedding Tips
10 July 2026·8 min read
Budget vs Luxury Wedding Photographers: What's the Difference?
Budget and luxury wedding photography aren't the same product at different prices — they're different services. Here's what UK couples are actually paying for at each level, and how to find genuine value.
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Wedding Tips
10 July 2026·8 min read
How Much to Tip Your Wedding Photographer in the UK
Tipping your wedding photographer isn't a UK convention the way it is in the US, but plenty of couples still wonder what's appropriate. Here's an honest guide to typical amounts, meaningful alternatives, and when a tip is genuinely earned.
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Wedding Tips
10 July 2026·8 min read
Wedding Album Costs: Are Fine Art Albums Worth the Price?
Wedding album prices in the UK range from £50 to £2,000+, and the gap is not just marketing. Here is an honest breakdown of what drives the cost and whether a fine art album is worth it for your wedding.
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Photography Tips
10 July 2026·8 min read
Is It Worth Paying for a Second Wedding Photographer? Cost vs Value
Second shooter fees can add hundreds to your wedding photography budget — here's an honest breakdown of what it actually buys you, real UK cost ranges, and when it's genuinely worth booking versus skipping.
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Wedding Tips
10 July 2026·7 min read
Hidden Wedding Photography Costs You Need to Budget For
The headline package price is rarely the full story. From albums and travel to overtime and second shooters, here is what UK couples often forget to budget for when booking their wedding photographer.
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Wedding Tips
10 July 2026·8 min read
Do You Need to Feed Your Wedding Photographer? (Vendor Meals Explained)
Vendor meals cause more planning anxiety than they deserve. Here's exactly what feeding your wedding photographer costs, when it's expected, and how to sort it in one quick chat with your caterer.
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Wedding Tips
10 July 2026·8 min read
How to Save Money on Your Wedding Photographer Without Cutting Quality
Wedding photography is one of the biggest budget items on the day — and one of the hardest to shortcut safely. Here's how to genuinely reduce the cost without gambling on the quality of your memories.
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Wedding Tips
10 July 2026·8 min read
Why is Wedding Photography So Expensive? A Transparent Look
Wedding photography quotes can range from a few hundred to several thousand pounds for what looks like the same day. Here is an honest breakdown of what actually sits behind the price.
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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.