Yana Skakun
Journal
Photography Blog
Tips, guides, venue spotlights and behind-the-scenes stories from my photography sessions across England.
Family Tips
5 May 2026·10 min read
What to Wear for a Documentary Family Photography Session
In a documentary family session, you are not posing — you are living your actual life. What you wear should be the best version of your everyday self, which requires its own kind of deliberate thought.
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Wedding Tips
5 May 2026·9 min read
The pre-wedding shoot: Everything couples should know
A pre-wedding shoot (or engagement session) isn't just a nice-to-have — it's one of the most practically useful things you can do before your wedding day. Here's exactly why.
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Wedding Tips
4 May 2026·7 min read
Winter Wedding Reception Photography: Candles, Fairy Lights, and Low-Light Magic
Winter receptions produce some of the most atmospheric wedding photography of any season — candlelight, fairy lights, fireplaces, and intimate enclosed spaces. A guide to understanding and planning for this distinctive look.
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Destination Weddings
4 May 2026·8 min read
Santorini Engagement Photography: Oia at Sunrise, Caldera Views and the Blue Domes
Santorini is one of the most photographically extraordinary places in the world — volcanic caldera cliffs, whitewashed villages, iconic blue domes, and a quality of Aegean light that produces photographs unlike anywhere else in Europe.
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Headshot Tips
3 May 2026·7 min read
Headshots and Brand Photography for Yoga Teachers
Your images should communicate your teaching philosophy before a prospective student reads a single word. A guide to yoga teacher headshots, practice portraits, teaching-in-action photography, and how to use your images.
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Destination Weddings
3 May 2026·7 min read
How to Hire a Destination Wedding Photographer: Questions to Ask Before Booking
Hiring a destination wedding photographer is different from booking a local photographer. You need someone experienced in working across international locations, able to handle logistical challenges independently.
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Newborn Tips
3 May 2026·11 min read
Bump to Baby: Planning Your Maternity and Newborn Session Wardrobe Together
Planning a maternity session and a newborn session as a connected pair creates two sets of images that tell a continuous story. This complete wardrobe guide helps you plan both from the beginning.
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Portrait Tips
3 May 2026·6 min read
Couple portrait sessions: What to expect & how to make the most of yours
Whether you're newly in love or celebrating decades together, a couple session is one of the most rewarding photography experiences. Here's everything you need to know before you book.
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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 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.