Yana Skakun
Journal
Photography Blog
Tips, guides, venue spotlights and behind-the-scenes stories from my photography sessions across England.
Photography Tips
10 April 2026·7 min read
The Best Spring Photography Locations In and Around Cambridge
Cambridge and the surrounding Cambridgeshire countryside offer exceptional variety for spring outdoor portraits within a short drive of each other — from bluebell woodlands to riverside meadows and historic estate parks.
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Photography Tips
10 April 2026·6 min read
Photographing Children Outdoors in Spring: Practical Tips
Spring offers some of the best conditions for outdoor children's photography: consistent soft light, compelling seasonal backgrounds, and children who are genuinely excited to be outside. Here is how to make the most of it.
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Photography Tips
10 April 2026·6 min read
Why Overcast Days Make Beautiful Portraits (And How Photographers Use Them)
The most common message photographers receive on a grey morning is some version of 'should we reschedule?' The answer, more often than not, is no. Overcast conditions are genuinely excellent light for portraits.
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Photography Tips
10 April 2026·7 min read
Wildflower Meadow Portrait Sessions: When, Where and How to Plan Yours
A wildflower meadow portrait session produces a specific quality of image: romantic, botanical, filled with natural colour and depth. Finding the right meadow at the right moment is what separates exceptional from ordinary.
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Photography Tips
10 April 2026·5 min read
May Bank Holiday Family Photoshoot Ideas
England's May bank holidays are two of the best photography opportunities in the calendar year. Children off school, extended family gathered, and spring light at its finest — here is how to make the most of them.
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Photography Tips
10 April 2026·6 min read
Spring Engagement Sessions: Why April and May Are the Best Time to Book
Spring — particularly late April and May — is the finest season for engagement photography in England. Long evenings, fresh green landscapes, and possible bluebell backdrops make this window exceptional.
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Photography Tips
10 April 2026·6 min read
Easter Family Photography: Ideas and Tips for the Long Weekend
Easter weekend is one of the few times in the year when extended families gather, children are home, and the spring light is genuinely beautiful. Here is how to capture it properly.
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Photography Tips
10 April 2026·6 min read
Spring Mini Photography Sessions: What to Expect and How to Book
Spring mini sessions offer professional family photographs without the commitment of a full session. If you have wondered whether they are right for your family — here is exactly what you need to know.
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Photography Tips
10 April 2026·7 min read
Bluebell Photography in the UK: When, Where and How to Plan the Perfect Session
Bluebell season in England is one of the most photographically spectacular and short-lived windows of the year. Knowing when and where — and how to photograph in woodland light — makes all the difference.
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Wedding Tips
10 April 2026·7 min read
Siena Wedding Photography: Medieval City & Palio Country
Siena is medieval Tuscany at its rawest — Il Campo, the black-and-white Duomo, contrada streets, and panoramas of the Crete Senesi. An extraordinary destination wedding city, largely undiscovered by wedding photographers.
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Photography Tips
10 April 2026·5 min read
Personal Branding vs Corporate Headshots: What's the Difference?
Both involve a camera and a professional-looking person. The differences run deeper than that — and choosing the wrong one wastes time and money.
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Photography Tips
10 April 2026·7 min read
Bluebell season photography in England: Best spots & timing guide (2026)
England's bluebell season — typically late April to mid-May — transforms ancient woodlands into something magical. Here's how to make the most of it for your family session or engagement shoot.
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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.