Yana Skakun
Journal
Photography Blog
Tips, guides, venue spotlights and behind-the-scenes stories from my photography sessions across England.
Venue Spotlights
17 March 2026·8 min read
Punting Wedding Photography in Cambridge: A Uniquely Romantic Idea
A wedding or engagement session that includes punting on the River Cam is one of the most distinctively Cambridge experiences you can create. A complete guide to organising a photography punt, the best stretches of river, and how a photographer captures this beautifully.
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Venue Spotlights
17 March 2026·8 min read
Cambridge University Botanic Garden: A Beautiful Photoshoot Location Guide
Cambridge University Botanic Garden is one of the most diverse and beautiful photography locations in the county — 40 acres with rose gardens, a rock garden, tropical glasshouses, and seasonal displays from snowdrops to dahlias. A complete guide for couples and photographers.
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Venue Spotlights
17 March 2026·8 min read
Grantchester Meadows Wedding & Engagement Photography: Cambridge's Idyllic Village
Grantchester Meadows is the ultimate escape from Cambridge's tourist crowds — wildflower meadows, the River Cam flowing past weeping willows, the famous Orchard Tea Garden, and everything reachable by a 30-minute punt from the city centre. A complete guide.
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Venue Spotlights
17 March 2026·9 min read
The Backs Cambridge: Wedding & Engagement Photography on the River Cam
The Backs — the stretch of the River Cam behind Cambridge's most beautiful colleges — is the definitive Cambridge portrait location. A complete guide to timing, access, best viewpoints, and how to get crowd-free photographs at England's most photographed riverscape.
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Family Tips
17 March 2026·8 min read
Breastfeeding photography: How to document this chapter of motherhood
Breastfeeding portraits capture one of the most intimate moments of early motherhood — a chapter that passes quickly and is so rarely photographed honestly. Here's everything you need to know.
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Family Tips
16 March 2026·6 min read
How to Choose the Perfect Location for Family Photos
The right location sets the mood for your entire session. From woodland and parkland to beaches and urban backdrops, a guide to matching the setting to your family's personality, the season, and the look you're after.
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Family Tips
16 March 2026·5 min read
Family Photography Gift Ideas for Every Occasion
A professional family photoshoot is one of the most personal gifts you can give — but how you present and deliver it matters too. From gift vouchers to framed wall art and printed albums, the best ways to give the gift of photography.
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Family Tips
16 March 2026·5 min read
Sibling Photography: Capturing Brothers and Sisters
The best sibling photos capture the real relationship — not forced poses but genuine laughter, whispered secrets and the odd bit of mischief. Tips for natural, personality-driven sibling portraits at any age.
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Wedding Tips
16 March 2026·6 min read
Bonfire Night Wedding Photography: Fireworks, Sparklers & November Magic
November 5th is uniquely British and uniquely beautiful for weddings. Fireworks, bonfire light, sparkler portraits, and the cold night air create photographs unlike any other season.
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Wedding Tips
16 March 2026·6 min read
Harvest Season Wedding Photography: Pumpkins, Wheat & Countryside Charm
Late September and October is harvest time in England. Pumpkin patches, hay bales, wheat fields, and the activity of the season create a uniquely beautiful wedding backdrop.
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Wedding Tips
16 March 2026·6 min read
Misty Morning Autumn Wedding Photography: Ethereal & Unforgettable
Autumn mist over fields and trees creates wedding photographs that look otherworldly. These conditions cannot be guaranteed — but they can be prepared for.
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Wedding Tips
16 March 2026·6 min read
Autumn Woodland Wedding Photography: Thousand Shades of Gold
Woodland in peak autumn colour is one of the most beautiful natural environments available to a wedding photographer. A guide to timing, locations, and technique.
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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.