Yana Skakun
Journal
Photography Blog
Tips, guides, venue spotlights and behind-the-scenes stories from my photography sessions across England.
Family Tips
17 March 2026·7 min read
Beach Family Photos in England: Best Coastal Locations
English beaches offer extraordinary variety — from the chalk stacks of the Jurassic Coast to the wild dunes of Northumberland. A guide to the best coastal locations for family portraits and how to make the most of seaside light.
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Family Tips
17 March 2026·7 min read
Autumn Family Photography: Best Locations in England
September through November transforms England's parks and woodlands into golden backdrops for family portraits. A guide to the best autumn locations across England, optimal timing for peak colour, and how to dress for the season.
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Family Tips
17 March 2026·5 min read
Matching Outfits for Family Photos: Do's and Don'ts
Perfectly matching outfits can feel stiff and costume-like, but clashing colours are just as distracting. The sweet spot is coordinating, not matching — and there are simple rules that make a huge difference to how your photos turn out.
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Portrait Tips
17 March 2026·6 min read
Studio vs On-Location Portrait Photography: Which Is Better?
Studio and on-location portraiture are genuinely different products. Here's what each approach delivers, when each is the right choice, and how to decide for your session.
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Newborn Tips
17 March 2026·7 min read
DIY vs Professional Newborn Photography: Is It Worth It?
An honest comparison of DIY and professional newborn photography — what smartphones do well, where professionals genuinely add value, and the safety considerations that matter.
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Professional Headshots
17 March 2026·8 min read
Personal Branding Photography: What It Is & Why You Need It
Personal branding photography goes beyond a headshot — it creates an entire visual library for your website, social media and press use. A complete guide to what's involved, who needs it, and how to approach booking.
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Professional Headshots
17 March 2026·7 min read
How Your LinkedIn Photo Affects Your Career (Data & Tips)
What the data says about LinkedIn profile photo quality and career outcomes — more views, more messages, and the psychology of professional first impressions.
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Wedding Venues
17 March 2026·7 min read
Chippenham Park Wedding Photography: Cambridgeshire's Finest Georgian Estate
Chippenham Park is arguably the finest privately owned estate for weddings in Cambridgeshire — Georgian house, Capability Brown parkland, a walled garden of extraordinary beauty, and a landscape lake with stone bridge near Newmarket.
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Venue Spotlights
17 March 2026·7 min read
Wandlebury Country Park: The Best Outdoor Photo Location Near Cambridge
Wandlebury Country Park on the Gog Magog Hills is Cambridge's finest nature photography location — ancient hill fort earthworks, beech woodland with spectacular autumn colour, wildflower meadow walks, and complete solitude just 4 miles from the city centre.
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Venue Spotlights
17 March 2026·8 min read
Punting Wedding Photography in Cambridge: A Uniquely Romantic Idea
A wedding or engagement session that includes punting on the River Cam is one of the most distinctively Cambridge experiences you can create. A complete guide to organising a photography punt, the best stretches of river, and how a photographer captures this beautifully.
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Venue Spotlights
17 March 2026·8 min read
Cambridge University Botanic Garden: A Beautiful Photoshoot Location Guide
Cambridge University Botanic Garden is one of the most diverse and beautiful photography locations in the county — 40 acres with rose gardens, a rock garden, tropical glasshouses, and seasonal displays from snowdrops to dahlias. A complete guide for couples and photographers.
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Venue Spotlights
17 March 2026·8 min read
Grantchester Meadows Wedding & Engagement Photography: Cambridge's Idyllic Village
Grantchester Meadows is the ultimate escape from Cambridge's tourist crowds — wildflower meadows, the River Cam flowing past weeping willows, the famous Orchard Tea Garden, and everything reachable by a 30-minute punt from the city centre. A complete guide.
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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.