Yana Skakun
Norfolk Broads · National Park · East Anglia
Photographer in the Norfolk Broads
Portraits, engagement sessions and family photography among the reed-fringed waterways, sailing boats and extraordinary marsh light of Britain's most distinctive National Park.
Britain's Waterland
Photography on Britain's Most Beautiful Waterways
The Norfolk Broads are unlike anywhere else in Britain. Formed from flooded medieval peat workings, they now comprise 125 miles of navigable waterways, 63 broadly linked broads, enormous reed beds and internationally important wetland habitat — all protected as a National Park. The landscape is defined by the relationship between water, sky and reed: vast, horizontal, breathtakingly open.
For photography, the light here is singular. The wide Norfolk sky means that at dawn and dusk the entire landscape is painted in extraordinary colour — mist rising over the open broads, the silhouettes of windmills against the amber sky, sailing vessels reflected in the glassy surface of the river. In no other part of England do light and water combine with such consistent, dramatic photographic potential.
I have been photographing in the Norfolk Broads for many years, working the rivers and broads at all seasons. My knowledge of where the light falls at different times of year — the western glow caught by Horning's riverside cottages, the morning mist at How Hill, the reflected sky at Hickling Broad just before the wind rises — makes every session here a genuinely expert experience.
Whether you come to the Broads for a weekend and want an engagement session on the river, or you live in Norfolk and are looking for a portrait photographer who understands the very particular beauty of this landscape — I would love to create something with you here.
Where We Shoot
Norfolk Broads Photography Locations
Horning Village & River Bure
One of the Broads' most picturesque villages, Horning lines the River Bure with thatched cottages, moored sailing yachts and reed-fringed banks. The Swan Inn staithe and the river bends north of the village provide quintessential Broadland compositions.
How Hill National Nature Reserve
A remarkable thatched estate on the River Ant, How Hill comprises Edwardian gardens, marshman's cottage (the tiny thatched Electric Eel pump drainage cottage), reed beds and dykes. One of the most atmospheric photography locations in all of Norfolk.
Ranworth Broad & Conservation Centre
Often called the Cathedral of the Broads for its elevated boardwalk views, Ranworth Broad is a nature reserve of international importance. The floating conservation centre, the dawn mist over the open water and the reed warbler song create an extraordinary natural spectacle.
Wroxham & Wroxham Broad
The largest boating centre on the Broads. Wroxham Broad is one of the few open waters accessible from the main river system. The combination of open water, sailing dinghies and the broad's reed edge creates beautiful variety.
Hickling Broad & Pleasure Boat Inn
The largest of the Norfolk Broads at 350 acres of open water. The Pleasure Boat Inn staithe at Hickling provides mooring for day boats visiting this remoter broad, with views across the water to reedbeds and sky that feel completely limitless.
Potter Heigham & Martham Broad
The famous medieval arch bridge at Potter Heigham, navigated only with skill, is an iconic Broads landmark. Just beyond, Martham Broad is one of the most isolated and beautiful open waters in the whole national park.
Photography Sessions
What I Offer in the Norfolk Broads
Portrait Photography Norfolk Broads
Individual and couples portraits using the reed beds, open water and sailing boats of the Broads as a living backdrop. Dawn and dusk light on the waterscape is extraordinary.
Learn More →Engagement Photography Norfolk
Pre-wedding sessions on the water or among the reed-fringed banks. Nothing else in East Anglia creates the same romantic, timeless atmosphere as the Norfolk Broads at golden hour.
Learn More →Wedding Photography Norfolk Broads
Creative documentary coverage for Broads area weddings. Waterside venues, sailing boat ceremonies and the incredible natural light of the Norfolk waterways.
Learn More →Family Photography Norfolk
Relaxed family sessions on the riverbank, at How Hill or during a day boat hire — capturing the magic of children experiencing the unique world of the Broads.
Learn More →Portfolio
Norfolk Broads Photography Portfolio
Why the Norfolk Broads
Light That Cannot Be Found Anywhere Else
- 125 miles of waterway — no two sessions look the same
- Dawn and dusk light over the open water is extraordinary all year
- Boat photography available — on the water or from the bank
- National Park landscape largely unchanged since medieval times
- Horning, How Hill and Ranworth all within 20 minutes of each other
- Cambridge to the Broads: 1h 15min — day trips and extended shoots possible
- Windmills, thatched cottages, sailing boats — quintessentially English
FAQs
Norfolk Broads Photography FAQs
What is the best time of year to photograph in the Norfolk Broads?
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Late spring (May–June) is exceptional — the reed beds are growing, the marshes are alive with birds, and the light on the water at dawn and dusk is at its finest. Late summer through early autumn (August–October) offers beautiful golden evenings and the start of mist over the water in the mornings. Winter is surprisingly atmospheric — bare willows, frost at dawn and the water completely mirror-still.
Can we incorporate a day boat or rowing boat into our session?
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Yes — and I highly recommend it for couples and family sessions. Hiring a half-day rowing boat or small day cruiser allows us to access locations impossible from the bank, including mid-river compositions with reed beds on both sides. I can work from a second boat or from bankside positions. Boat hire can be arranged locally through Broads-based hire companies.
Do you cover locations across the whole Norfolk Broads?
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Yes — I cover the full Broads National Park including the River Bure (Wroxham, Horning, Ranworth), River Ant (Barton Broad, How Hill, Sutton Broad), River Thurne (Potter Heigham, Hickling Broad, Martham), River Yare (Brundall, Surlingham, Rockland) and River Waveney (Beccles, Oulton Broad). Each river system has its own character.
Is How Hill accessible for photography sessions?
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How Hill is managed by the Broads Authority as an educational and conservation estate. The grounds are open to visitors during advertised open days and events. Toad Hole Cottage (the marshman's cottage) is open seasonally. For photography sessions I typically work from the riverside path and public access areas — the views are breathtaking even from public vantage points.
What equipment do you bring for waterside photography?
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I carry waterproof camera housing for any boat-based sessions, fully weather-sealed camera bodies and graduated ND filters for the wide, high-contrast skies that are characteristic of the Broads. For dawn sessions I bring waders when needed and always arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled shoot time to scout conditions.
Explore More
Photography Across East Anglia
Get in Touch
Book Your Norfolk Broads Session
Portrait, engagement or family — let's plan your session on Britain's most beautiful waterways.