Yana Skakun
Journal
Photography Blog
Tips, guides, venue spotlights and behind-the-scenes stories from my photography sessions across England.
Family Tips
28 March 2026·10 min read
What to Wear for Autumn Family Photos: Complete Colour Guide
Autumn family sessions are the most popular time of year — and the most forgiving for clothing. A complete guide to colours, textures, layering, and Cambridge autumn locations.
Read More
Photography Tips
28 March 2026·7 min read
Best Photography Locations in Ely, Cambridgeshire
Ely is one of Cambridgeshire's most photogenic towns — the Cathedral rising above the flat fens, the medieval Stained Glass Museum, the riverside path, Cherry Hill Park, and the vast open skies of the Cambridgeshire Levels on all sides.
Read More
Photography Tips
28 March 2026·8 min read
Best Season for Outdoor Photography in Cambridge
Cambridge transforms dramatically through the seasons — bluebell woods in April, cherry blossom along The Backs in March, golden meadow grasses in July, autumn reflections on the Cam in October, and frosty blue-lit fenland in January. A photographer's seasonal guide to Cambridge.
Read More
Venue Spotlights
28 March 2026·9 min read
Getting Married Near Ely Cathedral: A Photographer's Guide
Ely Cathedral — the Ship of the Fens — is one of England's truly great medieval buildings: its Norman nave, unique Octagon Tower, and Galilee Porch make it one of the most dramatic ceremony settings in East Anglia. A photographer's complete guide to Ely weddings.
Read More
Photography Tips
27 March 2026·6 min read
What to Wear for a Portrait Session: Practical UK Advice
What you wear to a portrait session shapes the colour, context, and tone of every image. These guidelines apply across headshots, family sessions, and personal brand shoots — with specific notes for each.
Read More
Photography Tips
27 March 2026·6 min read
What Happens After Your Portrait Session? Timeline & Delivery Guide
Most people are familiar with the session but not with what happens between the photographer packing up and the gallery arriving. Here is an honest guide to culling, editing, and delivery timelines for portrait photography.
Read More
Photography Tips
27 March 2026·7 min read
Family Portrait Sessions: Everything You Need to Know
A family portrait session produces photographs you will want to display and keep for decades. Understanding the process from booking through to receiving your gallery makes the experience smoother and results more likely to match your vision.
Read More
Photography Tips
27 March 2026·7 min read
Portrait Photography with Children: What Works and What Doesn't
Children are honest subjects — which makes them both the most rewarding and most unpredictable people to photograph. Here is what consistently works across different ages, and how parents can set sessions up for success.
Read More
Photography Tips
27 March 2026·6 min read
How Much Does Portrait Photography Cost in the UK? (2026 Guide)
Portrait photography pricing in the UK varies considerably by session type, experience level, and what is included. Here are realistic price ranges for 2026, what influences the cost, and how to think about value.
Read More
Photography Tips
27 March 2026·7 min read
What Makes a Great Portrait Photograph?
Most people know a great portrait when they see one. Understanding what actually makes it work — light quality, expression, composition, focus — helps you evaluate photographers, communicate better, and appreciate what skilled portraiture delivers.
Read More
Photography Tips
27 March 2026·6 min read
The Best Portrait Photography Locations in Cambridge
Cambridge has an unusual concentration of portrait-worthy settings within a small area — from the riverside Backs to bluebell woodland at Wandlebury and the historic streets of the city centre. A guide to the locations that consistently produce exceptional results.
Read More
Photography Tips
27 March 2026·6 min read
Portrait Photography as a Gift: The Complete UK Guide
Professional photographs are one of the most lasting and consistently well-received gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, Mother's Day, and new families. Here is everything you need to know about giving a portrait session as a gift.
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.