Yana Skakun
Journal
Photography Blog
Tips, guides, venue spotlights and behind-the-scenes stories from my photography sessions across England.
Family Tips
2 May 2026·6 min read
Eid Family Photography in the UK: A Guide to Celebrating With Beautiful Portraits
Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha bring families together in their finest clothes across generations. A guide to photographing this joyful celebration — timing, locations, multi-generational groups, and finding the right photographer.
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Wedding Tips
2 May 2026·7 min read
New York City Elopement Photography: Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park & City Lights
New York City is the world's great urban elopement — Brooklyn Bridge at dawn, Bow Bridge in Central Park, DUMBO's framed skyline, and the electricity of a city that never sleeps. A complete guide to NYC elopement photography.
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Destination Weddings
2 May 2026·7 min read
Destination Wedding Packing Guide: What to Bring for a Photo Shoot Abroad
A destination wedding or elopement photo shoot requires careful packing — formalwear, accessories, and sometimes a full wedding dress, while navigating flights, hotel rooms, and outdoor locations.
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Business Headshots
1 May 2026·7 min read
Brand Photography for Hair Salons and Barbershops
Prospective clients make booking decisions in seconds based on your images. A complete guide to professional brand photography for hair salons — team headshots, interior photography, service shoots, and before-and-after documentation.
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Photography Tips
1 May 2026·6 min read
Brand Photography for Coaches: Building Trust Through Visuals
Coaching is a trust-based business. Clients choose coaches they feel they know before they've had a single conversation. Brand photography is how that feeling is built.
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Photography Tips
1 May 2026·6 min read
Anniversary Portrait Sessions: Celebrating Your Relationship in Photos
An anniversary portrait session captures who a couple is now — after years together, having built a life, at a stage the wedding photographs could never have reached. A guide to planning anniversary photography.
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Photography Tips
1 May 2026·6 min read
Countryside Engagement Sessions: Locations and What to Expect
A countryside engagement session takes place in open rural landscape rather than urban or formal garden settings. For couples who connect with natural England, this produces the most personal and distinctive images.
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Photography Tips
1 May 2026·6 min read
Autumn Engagement Photography: Why October and November Are Special
Autumn is consistently the most popular season for engagement photography in England, and the reasons go beyond the obvious colour of the leaves. A guide to what makes autumn light and conditions special for couples portraits.
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Photography Tips
1 May 2026·6 min read
When to Book Your Engagement Session: A Timing Guide
Timing an engagement session involves lead time before the wedding, seasonal conditions, delivery windows, and stationery deadlines. A complete planning guide covering all the timing variables couples need to consider.
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Photography Tips
1 May 2026·6 min read
How to Style Your Engagement Shoot: From Casual to Formal
The styling register you choose for an engagement session fundamentally determines the character of the final images. A guide to the main styling approaches — from jeans-and-knitwear to full formal — with practical advice for each.
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Photography Tips
1 May 2026·6 min read
Engagement Photo Tips for Camera-Shy Couples in the UK
Camera shyness is extremely common and largely solvable with the right approach. Practical strategies for couples who are uncomfortable being photographed — before and during the session.
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Photography Tips
1 May 2026·6 min read
Couples Portrait Photography: A Guide to Planning Your Session
Couples portrait photography — whether an engagement session, anniversary portraits, or an early-relationship shoot — requires its own planning approach. A practical guide for any couple considering a portrait session.
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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.