Yana Skakun
Journal
Photography Blog
Tips, guides, venue spotlights and behind-the-scenes stories from my photography sessions across England.
Family Tips
16 July 2026·6 min read
Props for Family Photoshoots: What to Use, What to Skip
The honest guide to using props in family photography — which props genuinely enhance images, which create clutter, and how to use meaningful objects without the session feeling staged.
Read More
Portrait Tips
16 July 2026·11 min read
What to Wear for Boudoir Photography
Boudoir photography is intimately personal — a celebration of the body, self-confidence, and femininity at any age or size. This guide covers the full range of clothing options from lingerie and silk to completely covered alternatives, colour palettes, hair and makeup, props, and how to plan multiple outfits for a complete session.
Read More
Photography Tips
15 July 2026·7 min read
Behind the Scenes: What a Brand Photography Day Looks Like
Most people have never been on a brand photography day and can't quite picture it. Here's a detailed walkthrough from call time to gallery delivery.
Read More
Family Tips
15 July 2026·7 min read
Multigenerational Family Photography: Tips for Beautiful Group Portraits
How to plan and execute a multigenerational family photography session — managing large groups, capturing grandparent-grandchild moments, and choosing locations that work for everyone from toddlers to grandparents.
Read More
Family Tips
15 July 2026·7 min read
Photographing active children: How to capture kids in motion
Some children simply will not stand still — and that's a wonderful thing. Here's how to use natural energy and movement to create joyful, authentic portraits of active kids.
Read More
Family Tips
14 July 2026·10 min read
What to Wear for Garden Party Photography
Garden parties are among the most photogenic of social events. Being photographed in a summer garden — at a wedding, birthday, christening, or celebration — requires clothing that works with the greens, warm tones, and natural light of the outdoor setting. This guide covers palettes, fabrics, summer sunlight, and group coordination.
Read More
Venue Guides
13 July 2026·7 min read
Timber Orangeries Wedding Photography: Bourton-on-the-Water & Moreton-in-Marsh
A photographer's guide to Timber Orangeries wedding venues in the Cotswolds — what makes glazed orangery venues different to photograph, and what to expect at both locations.
Read More
Newborn Tips
12 July 2026·8 min read
Baby Photography in York: Sitter Sessions, Milestones and Cake Smash
A complete guide to baby photography in York — the five key sessions in a baby's first year, what to expect, how to prepare, and the best York locations.
Read More
Family Tips
12 July 2026·10 min read
What to Wear for Fresh 48 and Hospital Newborn Photography
Fresh 48 photography captures the first hours of a baby's life in the birth environment. What parents wear for these intimate, documentary sessions shapes the entire visual quality of the images. This guide covers hospital gowns, partner clothing, siblings, baby outfits, and the practical realities of post-birth appearance.
Read More
Venue Guides
11 July 2026·8 min read
Barn Wedding Venues in Suffolk: Historic Barns and Converted Farm Buildings
Suffolk's finest barn wedding venues — Tudor barns, converted granaries, and ancient farm buildings with exceptional grounds for photography.
Read More
Wedding Tips
11 July 2026·7 min read
How to choose a Cambridge wedding venue that photographs beautifully
Not all wedding venues are created equal for photography. From natural light to photogenic grounds, here's what a Cambridge wedding photographer looks for when evaluating venues.
Read More
Photography Tips
10 July 2026·8 min read
Horse Racing Photography at Newmarket: Behind the Scenes of Britain's Racing Capital
From dawn gallops sessions to raceday at the Rowley Mile, here is what actually goes into photographing horses and racing in Newmarket — the access, the light, the equipment, and the etiquette.
Read More
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.