Yana Skakun
Journal
Photography Blog
Tips, guides, venue spotlights and behind-the-scenes stories from my photography sessions across England.
Photography Tips
1 May 2026·6 min read
Autumn Engagement Photography: Why October and November Are Special
Autumn is consistently the most popular season for engagement photography in England, and the reasons go beyond the obvious colour of the leaves. A guide to what makes autumn light and conditions special for couples portraits.
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Photography Tips
1 May 2026·6 min read
When to Book Your Engagement Session: A Timing Guide
Timing an engagement session involves lead time before the wedding, seasonal conditions, delivery windows, and stationery deadlines. A complete planning guide covering all the timing variables couples need to consider.
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Photography Tips
1 May 2026·6 min read
How to Style Your Engagement Shoot: From Casual to Formal
The styling register you choose for an engagement session fundamentally determines the character of the final images. A guide to the main styling approaches — from jeans-and-knitwear to full formal — with practical advice for each.
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Photography Tips
1 May 2026·6 min read
Engagement Photo Tips for Camera-Shy Couples in the UK
Camera shyness is extremely common and largely solvable with the right approach. Practical strategies for couples who are uncomfortable being photographed — before and during the session.
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Photography Tips
1 May 2026·6 min read
Couples Portrait Photography: A Guide to Planning Your Session
Couples portrait photography — whether an engagement session, anniversary portraits, or an early-relationship shoot — requires its own planning approach. A practical guide for any couple considering a portrait session.
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Photography Tips
1 May 2026·6 min read
What to Wear for Your Engagement Session: A Style Guide
Outfit choice affects the mood, colour palette, and overall feel of engagement photography more than most couples expect. A complete guide to choosing what to wear — from colour theory to practical considerations.
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Photography Tips
1 May 2026·6 min read
Romantic Engagement Photo Spots in Cambridgeshire
Beyond Cambridge city, the county contains chalk hills, river valleys, ancient woodland, open fenland, and historic estates all within an hour's drive. A guide to the most distinctive engagement photography locations in the wider county.
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Photography Tips
1 May 2026·7 min read
The Best Engagement Photography Locations in Cambridge
Cambridge offers architectural beauty, riverside landscapes, woodland parkland, and managed estates within a small geographic area. This guide covers the most effective engagement photography locations in Cambridge in detail.
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Photography Tips
1 May 2026·6 min read
What to Expect from an Engagement Photography Session
Most couples arrive at engagement sessions uncertain what to do and slightly anxious about being photographed. This guide walks through exactly what happens — from the opening moments to delivery of the final gallery.
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Photography Tips
1 May 2026·7 min read
Engagement Session Photography: A Complete Guide
An engagement session creates a permanent record of this specific stage in a couple's life — and gives them valuable experience being photographed together before the wedding day. Everything couples need to know before booking.
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Destination Weddings
1 May 2026·8 min read
Scottish Highlands Wedding Photography: Glencoe, Cairngorms and Highland Castles
The Scottish Highlands is one of the last wild landscapes in Western Europe — a vast expanse of moorland, mountain, and loch stretching north from the Highland boundary fault to the Pentland Firth.
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Family Tips
1 May 2026·10 min read
What to Wear for Family Photos with Pets: A Dog Owner's Guide
Including the family dog in a portrait session adds joy, chaos, and genuine character. What you wear alongside your pet determines whether the images look considered or chaotic.
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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.