Yana Skakun
Cambridge College Photography
King's College
Cambridge Photographer
Weddings · Graduations · Portraits · Events
Celebrating one of the world's most beautiful architectural settings — the Gothic Chapel, the Backs, and beyond
Cambridge's Most Iconic College
Photography at the Heart of Cambridge
Founded by King Henry VI in 1441, King's College stands at the very centre of Cambridge — intellectually, architecturally, and spiritually. Its chapel, built over a century from 1446, is the defining image of the city and one of the most photographed Gothic buildings in the world. To be photographed here is to place yourself within one of the great narratives of human achievement.
I am Yana Skakun, and I have been photographing life at Cambridge's colleges for years. I know exactly how the light falls through the Chapel's stained glass at different seasons, how to find quiet corners of the Backs away from tourist crowds, and how to translate the scale and grandeur of this place into images that feel personal and intimate rather than merely impressive.
Whether you are celebrating a graduation with your family, planning a wedding in the Chapel, attending the King's May Ball, or simply want portraits that honour this remarkable place, I would be genuinely honoured to be your photographer.
Locations
Photography Locations at King's College
King's College and its surrounding environs offer an extraordinary variety of architectural and natural settings for photography, from the soaring Gothic interior of the Chapel to the pastoral beauty of the Backs.
King's College
King's College Chapel
One of the greatest examples of late Gothic architecture in England, the Chapel is Cambridge's most iconic landmark. Its fan-vaulted ceiling, the largest in the world, and the famous Rubens altarpiece create a profoundly moving setting for weddings and formal events alike. The interplay of light through the stained glass windows produces photography that feels truly transcendent.
- Fan-vaulted ceiling (largest in the world)
- Rubens 'Adoration of the Magi' altarpiece
- Magnificent stained glass windows
- Evensong candlelight sessions available
King's College
The Backs & River Cam
The sweeping lawns behind King's College, stretching down to the River Cam, offer the most quintessentially Cambridge view in existence: the Chapel rising above manicured grass, punts gliding by on the river, and weeping willows trailing in the water. This is the backdrop that has defined Cambridge in the popular imagination for centuries.
- River Cam and punting shots
- Iconic Chapel-from-the-Backs view
- Bridge of Sighs nearby
- Golden hour & blossom season sessions
King's College
Front Court & Main Gate
The Front Court is one of the most handsome enclosed spaces in Cambridge: a Grand Tudor gatehouse flanked by carefully proportioned ranges on three sides. The famous Gibbs Building closes the quadrangle to the south. Portraits here convey history, intellect, and achievement — perfect for graduation photography.
- Iconic Tudor gatehouse
- Gibbs Building facade
- Formal lawn areas
- Evening light on stonework
King's College
The Gibbs Building Loggia
The neoclassical Gibbs Building (1724–1730) faces the Chapel across the lawn, its long colonnade offering a dramatic covered walk. This shaded loggia provides even, soft light for portraits and creates architectural depth that is extraordinary in photography.
- Neoclassical colonnade detail
- Symmetrical architectural framing
- Even, soft portrait light
- Stone archway compositions
King's College
Fellows' Garden
A walled garden of great beauty, the Fellows' Garden is a tranquil space of herbaceous borders, ancient trees, and the gentle sound of the Cam. Available for formal sessions with advance arrangement, it offers an intimate counterpoint to the grandeur of the Front Court.
- Walled garden privacy
- Herbaceous border portraits
- Ancient mulberry tree
- Riverside garden sections
King's College
King's Parade & Senate House
The cobblestoned King's Parade — running along the western facade of the college — and the adjacent Senate House (where Cambridge degree ceremonies are held) together provide grand civic architecture that frames graduation portraits with institutional gravitas.
- Senate House Passage
- Cobblestone street compositions
- Senate House pillars
- Great St Mary's Church backdrop
Gallery
Photography at King's College
Services
Photography Packages
From intimate graduation portraits to full-day wedding coverage in the Chapel, here are the ways I work with clients at King's College Cambridge.
Most Popular
Wedding Photography
8–12 hours
from £1,895
- Full day coverage of your college wedding
- Chapel ceremony and all formal locations
- The Backs and riverside portraits
- 400–600+ edited high-resolution images
- Private gallery with 5-year access
- Fine art print licence
- Engagement session in Cambridge included
Graduation Photography
1–2 hours
from £175
- Ceremony and formal procession coverage
- Family and group portraits on the Backs
- Front Court and Chapel portraits
- 75+ edited images
- Same-week turnaround
- Private downloadable gallery
May Ball & Events
3–6 hours
from £650
- Event and atmosphere photography
- Candid and formal group portraits
- Night and candlelight photography
- 200+ edited images
- Quick 48-hour turnaround
- Commercial licence available
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need special permission to be photographed at King's College?
King's College is partly open to the public and visitors can access certain areas including Front Court and the Chapel during opening hours. However, for professional photography sessions, formal wedding photography within the college, and access to restricted areas like the Backs lawn and Fellows' Garden, prior arrangement with the college is required. As an experienced Cambridge college photographer, I guide all clients through this process and help secure the necessary permissions.
Can we get married in King's College Chapel?
King's College Chapel holds Church of England services and weddings do take place there for members of the college community (current fellows, staff, and students) and sometimes for alumni. The process involves applying through the college chaplain. If you are eligible, I would be honoured to photograph your wedding in one of the world's most extraordinary spaces.
When is the best time of year to be photographed at King's College?
Each season offers something unique. Spring brings cherry blossom along the Backs. Summer graduation seasons fill the Front Court with robed ceremony. Autumn turns the trees around the Backs to gold. Winter, particularly at Christmas when the Chapel is lit for carol services, has an ethereal atmosphere that is unlike anywhere else. For graduation photography, I recommend early morning sessions before the crowds arrive.
How far in advance should I book for graduation photography at King's?
Cambridge University graduation ceremonies (General Admission) happen in June and July each year, with provisional dates released in January. I recommend booking as soon as you know your ceremony date — my graduation calendar fills quickly, often by April for the summer season. For weddings, I recommend 12–18 months in advance.
Can you photograph our family group at King's College?
Absolutely. Family portrait sessions at King's are popular with both Cambridge families and visitors who want a meaningful backdrop for multi-generational portraits. The Backs and Front Court are particularly suited to group photography. A 1.5-hour session comfortably covers several distinct locations within the college environs.
Do you photograph in other Cambridge colleges too?
Yes — I photograph regularly at Trinity, Jesus, Queens', Pembroke, St John's, Corpus Christi, Clare, Magdalene, and many others. Cambridge's concentration of beautiful medieval and Renaissance architecture makes it one of the world's great photography locations. See my Trinity College and Jesus College pages for more detail.
Also See
More Cambridge College Photography
Get in Touch
Book Your King's College Session
Tell me the occasion — graduation, wedding, portrait, or event — and I will be in touch with everything you need to know.
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