Yana Skakun
Journal
Photography Blog
Tips, guides, venue spotlights and behind-the-scenes stories from my photography sessions across England.
Venue Spotlights
28 March 2026·9 min read
Getting Married Near Ely Cathedral: A Photographer's Guide
Ely Cathedral — the Ship of the Fens — is one of England's truly great medieval buildings: its Norman nave, unique Octagon Tower, and Galilee Porch make it one of the most dramatic ceremony settings in East Anglia. A photographer's complete guide to Ely weddings.
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Photography Tips
27 March 2026·6 min read
What to Wear for a Portrait Session: Practical UK Advice
What you wear to a portrait session shapes the colour, context, and tone of every image. These guidelines apply across headshots, family sessions, and personal brand shoots — with specific notes for each.
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Photography Tips
27 March 2026·6 min read
What Happens After Your Portrait Session? Timeline & Delivery Guide
Most people are familiar with the session but not with what happens between the photographer packing up and the gallery arriving. Here is an honest guide to culling, editing, and delivery timelines for portrait photography.
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Photography Tips
27 March 2026·7 min read
Family Portrait Sessions: Everything You Need to Know
A family portrait session produces photographs you will want to display and keep for decades. Understanding the process from booking through to receiving your gallery makes the experience smoother and results more likely to match your vision.
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Photography Tips
27 March 2026·7 min read
Portrait Photography with Children: What Works and What Doesn't
Children are honest subjects — which makes them both the most rewarding and most unpredictable people to photograph. Here is what consistently works across different ages, and how parents can set sessions up for success.
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Photography Tips
27 March 2026·6 min read
How Much Does Portrait Photography Cost in the UK? (2026 Guide)
Portrait photography pricing in the UK varies considerably by session type, experience level, and what is included. Here are realistic price ranges for 2026, what influences the cost, and how to think about value.
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Photography Tips
27 March 2026·7 min read
What Makes a Great Portrait Photograph?
Most people know a great portrait when they see one. Understanding what actually makes it work — light quality, expression, composition, focus — helps you evaluate photographers, communicate better, and appreciate what skilled portraiture delivers.
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Photography Tips
27 March 2026·6 min read
The Best Portrait Photography Locations in Cambridge
Cambridge has an unusual concentration of portrait-worthy settings within a small area — from the riverside Backs to bluebell woodland at Wandlebury and the historic streets of the city centre. A guide to the locations that consistently produce exceptional results.
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Photography Tips
27 March 2026·6 min read
Portrait Photography as a Gift: The Complete UK Guide
Professional photographs are one of the most lasting and consistently well-received gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, Mother's Day, and new families. Here is everything you need to know about giving a portrait session as a gift.
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Photography Tips
27 March 2026·7 min read
What Is a Lifestyle Portrait Session? A Practical Guide
Lifestyle portrait photography is one of the most requested formats — and one of the most misunderstood. Here is a clear explanation of what it is, who it suits, and how it differs from traditional posed portraiture.
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Photography Tips
27 March 2026·7 min read
Portrait Photography for Camera-Shy People: How to Get Beautiful Results
Hating having your photo taken is one of the most common feelings people bring to a portrait session. Here is why professional photography is different from every bad photo you have ever seen of yourself — and how to make the experience work.
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Photography Tips
27 March 2026·6 min read
How to Prepare for Your Portrait Session: A Complete UK Guide
The sessions that look effortless are the ones prepared for properly. From communicating with your photographer to what to wear and how to arrive — this is the preparation guide most people wish they had.
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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.