Yana Skakun
Yana Skakun
Journal
Tips, guides, venue spotlights and behind-the-scenes stories from my photography sessions across England.

A significant height difference is one of the most commonly over-thought aspects of wedding posing — and one of the most straightforwardly solved. Here are the techniques that work.
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How you carry and position yourself in your dress determines whether it enhances or complicates the photographs. A posing guide covering every silhouette from fitted corset gowns to ballgowns.
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Being uncomfortable in front of a camera is more common than being at ease with it. This guide is specifically for anyone who has avoided photographs for years and is now facing a full wedding-day portrait session.
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What to do with your hands is the most common question couples ask before their portrait session. Here is a complete, practical guide — by person and by situation.
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Most people have never been directed in front of a camera before their wedding. Here is what professional direction looks like, what to expect from your photographer, and how to feel more natural on the day.
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The pattern is consistent: couples who chose the cheapest photographer on their shortlist are significantly more likely to feel disappointed by the results. Here is an honest look at why.
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Planning a wedding for the first time means navigating a large number of decisions without prior experience. These are the mistakes that come up consistently — and how to avoid them.
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Golden hour lasts roughly 20–40 minutes and moves throughout the year. Knowing exactly when it falls on your wedding date — and building it deliberately into your timeline — makes a visible difference.
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A winter wedding in the UK gives you roughly four hours of usable daylight. How you allocate those hours determines the quality of your natural light portraits.
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Sparkler exits look stunning when executed well — and chaotic when they're not planned. Here is the complete guide to organising one that photographs beautifully.
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An unplugged ceremony is one where guests are asked to put phones and cameras away. It sounds restrictive. In practice, it usually makes both the experience and the photos significantly better.
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Some décor choices that look beautiful in person photograph badly. Here is what experienced wedding photographers see again and again — and how to get it right.
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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.