Yana Skakun
Journal
Photography Blog
Tips, guides, venue spotlights and behind-the-scenes stories from my photography sessions across England.
Photography Tips
10 July 2026·8 min read
Why Midday Sun is Harsh (And How We Fix It for Wedding Photos)
Most UK weddings happen in the harshest light of the day. Here's exactly why midday sun causes squinting, shadows and blown-out skies — and the practical techniques I use to fix it.
Read More
Photography Tips
10 July 2026·8 min read
Embracing the Wind: How Bad Weather Makes Epic Wedding Photos
Windy, overcast British weather has a reputation for ruining wedding days — but it often produces the most striking, most treasured photographs. Here is how to plan your day to make the most of whatever the forecast brings.
Read More
Photography Tips
10 July 2026·8 min read
Clear Umbrella Wedding Photos: The Essential UK Wedding Prop
Rain is a near-certainty at some point on most UK wedding days. Here is why a clear umbrella is the single best tool for turning that weather into some of the most striking photographs of the day.
Read More
Wedding Tips
10 July 2026·8 min read
The Cost of a Professional Wedding Album Explained
A clear, honest breakdown of what UK wedding albums actually cost in 2026, what drives the price, and how to budget for one without overspending or missing out on a lasting heirloom.
Read More
Wedding Tips
10 July 2026·8 min read
How to Design Your Own Wedding Album (And Why You Shouldn't)
Thinking about designing your own wedding album? Here's a photographer's honest, step-by-step guide to selection, layout, and print prep — and why most couples end up wishing they hadn't gone it alone.
Read More
Wedding Tips
10 July 2026·8 min read
Why Digital Files Aren't Enough: The Importance of a Wedding Album
Digital galleries feel safe and modern, but hard drives fail and cloud accounts get forgotten. Here's why a printed wedding album is still the format that actually gets looked at, year after year.
Read More
Photography Tips
10 July 2026·8 min read
Canvas vs Fine Art Paper: Which is Better for Wedding Photos?
Canvas or fine art paper? A working wedding photographer breaks down the real differences in detail, colour, longevity and cost so you can choose the right print for every image in your gallery.
Read More
Photography Tips
10 July 2026·8 min read
How Big Should You Print Your Wedding Photos? A Sizing Guide
From bedside frames to statement wall art, here is a practical, room-by-room guide to choosing the right wedding photo print sizes so every image holds its detail and impact.
Read More
Wedding Tips
10 July 2026·8 min read
How to Choose Photos for Your Parents' Wedding Album
A parent album isn't your own album in miniature — it has a different job. Here's a practical, step-by-step method for choosing wedding photos your mum and dad will treasure.
Read More
Wedding Tips
10 July 2026·7 min read
The Best Wedding Gifts for Parents: Why a Mini Album Wins
Forget the candles and spa vouchers. A curated mini wedding album is the parent gift that actually gets opened again and again — here's why, and how to plan one without adding to your wedding to-do list.
Read More
Venue Guides
10 July 2026·8 min read
Why Dark Wood Barns Destroy Amateur Wedding Photos (And How We Fix It)
Dark timber barns are stunning to the eye but notoriously difficult to photograph well. Here is why amateur coverage falls apart in these venues, and the off-camera lighting approach that keeps the atmosphere without losing the room to shadow.
Read More
Wedding Tips
10 July 2026·8 min read
Winter Wonderland Wedding Photography Theme Ideas
Practical, UK-focused advice for planning a winter wedding that actually photographs like a winter wonderland — venue choice, short daylight, candlelight, snow, and styling that works with the season.
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.