Yana Skakun
Cambridge College Photography
Pembroke College
Cambridge Photographer
Wren Chapel · Old Court · Garden · Graduations
Cambridge's third-oldest college, with Christopher Wren's very first building — and one of the most intimate locations for photography in the city
Founded 1347
Cambridge's Most Intimate Historic College
Pembroke College was founded by Marie de St Pol, Countess of Pembroke, in 1347 — making it the third-oldest college in Cambridge University, and one of the oldest in the world. Within its compact site on Trumpington Street stands a remarkable concentration of architectural history, from the medieval Old Court to Christopher Wren's first ever building: the college chapel of 1665.
Unlike the more famous visitor destinations of King's or Trinity, Pembroke has a quality of private intimacy that makes it deeply suited to personal photography. The courts are human in scale. The light falls differently here — softer, more golden in the afternoon as it comes over the rooflines from the garden. The stonework holds centuries of texture and story.
I am Yana Skakun, and it is a privilege every time I photograph at Pembroke. Whether you are celebrating a graduation, planning a Wren Chapel wedding, or simply want portraits in one of Cambridge's most beautiful settings, I will create images that do justice to this extraordinary place.
Locations
Photography Locations at Pembroke College
From the Wren Chapel to the medieval Old Court to the Fellows' Garden, Pembroke offers varied and historically rich settings for every style of photography.
Pembroke College
Wren Chapel
Pembroke's chapel is the first building Christopher Wren ever designed — a gift to his uncle Matthew Wren, who was Bishop of Ely. Built in 1665, it is a jewel of classical English architecture: intimate, beautifully proportioned, and luminous. Being married in a building designed by the architect of St Paul's Cathedral carries a weight of history and beauty that is difficult to overstate.
- Christopher Wren's first building (1665)
- Remarkable classical interior
- Intimate scale ideal for small ceremonies
- South-facing light in the afternoon
Pembroke College
Old Court
Founded in 1347, Pembroke's Old Court is believed to be the oldest complete court in Cambridge. Its human scale — smaller than King's or Trinity — gives it a warmth and intimacy that larger courts cannot match. The honey-coloured stonework, trailing wisteria, and medieval proportions create a sense of stepping directly into the past.
- Oldest complete court in Cambridge
- Medieval stonework detail
- Intimate quadrangle scale
- Seasonal wisteria in May
Pembroke College
The Fellows' Garden
Pembroke's garden is a serene, enclosed space of lawns, mature trees, and herbaceous borders that runs along the south side of the college. With the Chapel's roofline above and the old college walls enclosing the space, it offers outstanding portrait photography in soft, filtered light.
- Enclosed walled garden
- Mature tree canopy light
- Herbaceous border backdrops
- Croquet lawn area in summer
Pembroke College
Ivy Court & Orchard Building
The later Victorian and twentieth-century courts of Pembroke — including Ivy Court — offer a different aesthetic: climbing ivy, mellow brick, and layered architectural history that rewards a wandering lens. The contrast between Pembroke's medieval and modern courts tells the story of a living institution.
- Victorian courtyard architecture
- Ivy-clad walls in autumn
- Layered architectural periods
- Quieter, less-visited areas
Pembroke College
Trumpington Street Frontage
Pembroke faces onto Trumpington Street, one of Cambridge's most historic roads, directly opposite the Fitzwilliam Museum. The juxtaposition of the college's medieval gate with the monumental neoclassical museum provides dramatic, richly layered portrait and documentary backdrops.
- Medieval gatehouse exterior
- Fitzwilliam Museum backdrop
- Trumpington Street cobbles
- Peterhouse and Pembroke proximity
Pembroke College
Library & Cloisters
Pembroke's older library spaces and the cloistered walkways between courts offer sheltered, atmospheric settings for portraits when weather is variable — or simply for the extraordinary quality of light and architectural detail they provide.
- Cloistered walkway compositions
- Sheltered year-round option
- Architectural framing details
- Library exterior stonework
Gallery
Pembroke College Photography
Investment
Pembroke College Photography Packages
Every session is tailored to the occasion. Here are my standard packages for work at Pembroke.
Graduation Portrait
1–1.5 hours
from £175
- Ceremony and procession coverage
- Family portrait session in Old Court
- Chapel and garden portraits
- 80+ edited high-resolution images
- Online gallery within 5 working days
- Full print-release licence
Most Popular
Wedding Day
8–10 hours
from £1,895
- Full day wedding coverage
- Wren Chapel ceremony photography
- All college courts and garden portraits
- 450+ edited high-resolution images
- Private gallery with 5-year access
- Fine art print licence included
- Pre-wedding college walk-through
Event & Portrait
2–4 hours
from £350
- College event or formal portrait session
- All accessible college locations
- Individual, couple, or group portraits
- 120+ edited images
- Gallery within 10 working days
- Commercial or personal licence
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Pembroke College a great photography location?
Pembroke is unique among Cambridge colleges for the combination of extreme historical depth (founded 1347, the third-oldest college) and human scale. Unlike the enormous courts of Trinity or St John's, Pembroke's spaces feel intimate and personal. The Wren Chapel is arguably the most beautiful small classical building in Cambridge. And the juxtaposition of medieval, Victorian, and modern architecture within one compact site gives enormous variety for photography.
Can I get married in the Wren Chapel at Pembroke?
The Wren Chapel is available for weddings for members of the Pembroke community — current staff, fellows, students, and sometimes alumni. The chapel holds Church of England services and seats around 100 guests. For eligibility queries, I recommend contacting the college chaplain directly. As your photographer, I will work with the chaplain's guidelines and the college's restrictions to ensure we make the most of this extraordinary building.
How does Pembroke compare to other Cambridge colleges for photographs?
Each Cambridge college has a distinct character. Pembroke rewards photographers who appreciate intimacy and detail over grandeur. Where King's offers unmatched architectural scale, and Trinity has the majesty of its Great Court, Pembroke offers texture, warmth, and a sense of personal connection to centuries of history. Many clients find Pembroke photographs feel more personal and less 'touristy' than the more famous colleges.
When are Pembroke graduation ceremonies?
Cambridge University holds its main graduation season (General Admission) in late June and July, with separate degree days in January. Pembroke students receive their degrees at the Senate House on King's Parade, a short walk from the college. I cover both the Senate House ceremony and the subsequent portrait sessions back in college.
Can you photograph at multiple Cambridge colleges on the same day?
Yes — I frequently photograph at two or three colleges in a single session, particularly for graduation days when families want to visit King's Parade, the Backs behind King's, and their own college. With good planning and knowledge of walking routes, I can cover Pembroke, King's, and the Senate House in a morning.
Do you photograph at other Cambridge colleges?
Yes — I am experienced at all the major Cambridge colleges: King's (Chapel, Backs), Trinity (Great Court, Wren Library), St John's (Bridge of Sighs, New Court), Jesus (Chapel Court, gardens), Queens' (Mathematical Bridge, Cloister Court), Corpus Christi, Clare, Magdalene, and many others. See my Cambridge college photography pages for more detail on each.
Also See
More Cambridge College Photography
Get in Touch
Book Your Pembroke College Session
Wedding, graduation, formal portrait, or event — tell me about your occasion and I will be in touch promptly.
Get in Touch
Let's Create Together
Tell me about your vision and I'll be in touch within 24 hours.