Yana Skakun
Journal
Photography Blog
Tips, guides, venue spotlights and behind-the-scenes stories from my photography sessions across England.
Photography Tips
12 March 2026·7 min read
Digital Gallery vs Photo Album: Which Should You Choose?
After a wedding or significant photography session, should you prioritise the digital gallery, commission a physical album, or both? An honest comparison covering longevity, emotional impact, sharing, cost, and which option serves different priorities best.
Read More
Photography Tips
12 March 2026·8 min read
How to Display and Frame Your Professional Photos
Professional photographs rarely reach their full potential as a phone gallery. A complete guide to every print type, display format, and framing approach — from choosing the right size to building a wall gallery that looks as good as the images themselves.
Read More
Photography Tips
12 March 2026·7 min read
How to Brief a Photographer: Getting Exactly What You Want
Most photography disappointments trace back to a communication mismatch rather than a skill gap. A practical guide to briefing any photographer clearly — for weddings, corporate headshots, family sessions, or events — in five structured steps.
Read More
Photography Tips
12 March 2026·9 min read
Hiring an Event Photographer: Complete Planning Guide
Everything you need to hire the right event photographer — from defining what you actually need through to briefing, contract terms, and managing the photographer on the day. Covers corporate events, charity galas, product launches, and private celebrations.
Read More
Business Headshots
12 March 2026·8 min read
How to Organise a Corporate Headshot Day at Your Office
A photographer-in-your-office headshot day is significantly more cost-effective and convenient than individual sessions. A complete planning guide covering scheduling, internal communication, location setup, and what happens on the day.
Read More
Newborn Tips
12 March 2026·8 min read
How to Choose a Newborn Photographer: Safety & Style
Choosing a newborn photographer means evaluating safety first — training, safe posing practices, and hygiene protocols — and aesthetic style second. A complete guide to the questions you must ask before booking.
Read More
Portrait Tips
12 March 2026·7 min read
What to Expect at Your First Professional Photoshoot
If you have never had a professional photo session before, the uncertainty about what happens can be more daunting than the session itself. An honest, step-by-step guide covering everything from the booking enquiry to receiving your finished gallery.
Read More
Family Tips
12 March 2026·9 min read
Family Photoshoot Guide: Everything from Booking to Gallery
A complete walk-through of the family photography experience — from the first enquiry and choosing your location, to preparing your children, what happens during the session, and what to do with your gallery once it arrives.
Read More
Newborn Tips
12 March 2026·9 min read
How to Prepare for a Newborn Photoshoot: Week-by-Week Guide
The window for the classic sleeping newborn poses is just 7–14 days. A complete preparation guide from booking during pregnancy through to the morning of the session — including room temperature, feeding timing, and what to bring to a studio.
Read More
Wedding Tips
12 March 2026·10 min read
How to Get the Best Photos on Your Wedding Day: 20 Tips
The couples who love their wedding photographs made a handful of deliberate decisions before and during the day. Twenty practical, concrete things you can do — from timeline planning to portrait positioning — to make your images as good as they can possibly be.
Read More
Wedding Tips
12 March 2026·8 min read
Wedding Photography Contracts: What to Look For
Your contract is the only protection you have if something goes wrong on your wedding day. A complete guide to every clause that matters — deliverables, cancellation terms, substitution clauses, and the red flags that suggest an unprofessional operator.
Read More
Wedding Tips
12 March 2026·7 min read
How Far in Advance Should You Book a Wedding Photographer?
The photographers whose work you admire are booked 12–18 months ahead. A practical guide to the right booking window for every date type, what locks the booking, and how to act quickly if your date is approaching.
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.