Yana Skakun
Journal
Photography Blog
Tips, guides, venue spotlights and behind-the-scenes stories from my photography sessions across England.
Family Tips
10 July 2026·8 min read
How to Photograph Someone Who Hates Having Their Photo Taken (Especially Older Adults)
Practical, tested ways to photograph a camera-shy relative — especially older adults — without forced poses or awkward tension, so the results feel genuine rather than endured.
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Family Tips
10 July 2026·8 min read
Retirement Photo Session: Marking a New Chapter With Beautiful Portraits
A retirement marks the end of decades of work, yet it rarely gets photographed properly. Here's why a dedicated retirement session matters, what to expect, and how to prepare.
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Family Tips
10 July 2026·8 min read
Photographing Parents: A Gift They'll Never Ask For But Always Treasure
Nobody's parents ever ask for a portrait session — yet almost everyone wishes they had more real photographs of their parents before it's too late. Here's what a gentle, honest session with a parent actually involves.
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Family Tips
10 July 2026·8 min read
Portrait Photography for the Over 60s: You Deserve Beautiful Photos Too
Most people over 60 haven't had a proper photograph taken in years. Here's why that matters, what a session actually involves, and how to get portraits that look like the real person you know.
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Family Tips
10 July 2026·8 min read
Elderly Portrait Photography: Celebrating Character, Stories & a Life Well Lived
A guide to elderly and senior portrait photography that celebrates real character rather than smoothing it away — how sessions work, how to prepare, and why these portraits matter more than families often realise.
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Family Tips
10 July 2026·8 min read
A Gift for Grandparents: Why a Photo Session Is the Most Meaningful Present
Chocolates get eaten, ornaments gather dust, but a photo session with the family is a gift grandparents actually keep and treasure. Here's what to expect, how to prepare, and why it beats almost anything else on the list.
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Family Tips
10 July 2026·7 min read
Grandparents and Grandchildren Photo Sessions: Capturing Bonds That Last Forever
A grandparents and grandchildren photo session captures a relationship all its own — playful, patient, and quietly precious. Here's what to expect, how to prepare, and why families rarely regret booking one.
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Family Tips
10 July 2026·8 min read
Four Generations in One Photo: Planning a Multigenerational Family Session
Great-grandparent, grandparent, parent, and child in one frame: how to plan a four-generation family photo session, from choosing a location everyone can manage to capturing the moments that matter most.
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Family Tips
10 July 2026·8 min read
Grandparent Photography: Why You Should Book a Session Before It's Too Late
Photographs of grandchildren with grandparents are some of the rarest and most treasured images a family can have. Here is what a grandparent photography session actually involves, and why it is worth booking sooner rather than later.
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Photography Tips
10 July 2026·8 min read
Camping & Glamping Photography: Cosy Outdoor Sessions
From firelit bell tents to frosty morning coffees, glamping and camping sessions capture a warmth studio portraits rarely can. Here is how I plan, shoot, and prepare these sessions across the UK.
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Photography Tips
10 July 2026·7 min read
Sunrise Photoshoots: Why Waking Up Early Gets the Best Photos
A 5am alarm sounds like a lot to ask for a photoshoot — until you see the light. Here's why sunrise sessions produce softer light, emptier locations, and a calmer atmosphere than any other time of day, and how to prepare for one.
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Photography Tips
10 July 2026·8 min read
Adventure Couples Photography: Hiking, Climbing & Wild Landscapes
For couples who feel more like themselves on a hillside than in a studio, adventure photography swaps posed portraits for real terrain, real weather, and honest moments captured on the move.
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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.