Christmas Ideas for the Shutterbugs in Your Life

There's a week to go until Christmas so everyone should have done their shopping by now, but if you haven't here's a list of what's most wanted this year photography wise.

Cameras

I cheated and treated myself to a Nikon D5500 earlier on in the year, which I highly recommend for those on a student budget. It work fantastically in low light, showing little noise even with a high ISO, however I don't use the touchscreen as much as I thought I would have (especially now I have acrylic nails).

The next one down from the D5500 is the Nikon D5300 which is similar to the D5500, however the body is slightly different and the screen isn't a touchscreen.

The Canon equivalent to the D5500 is the Canon EOS 70D which has a similar picture quality and price tag.

If  a DSLR is a bit pricey for a Christmas gift, or, like me, you have just bought one, then maybe go for an instant camera like the Fujifilm Instax. Amazon have a cute little bundle offer here.

If you or someone you love and are willing to spend some money on are a sports enthusiast as well as a budding photographer, get them a GoPro.

Accessories

Get your loved ones memory cards.

Or a hard drive.

For years I've wanted a Joby GorillaPod. If you've never seen one, it's like a tripod, however the legs are fully moveable and the tripod can even be wrapped around objects. 

Another camera item I have always wanted is a Lensbaby. There are several different types of lensbabies and each has a different effect and level of control, they even make ones for iPhones. They also have some accessories, such as different shaped apertures and different optics.

If you're looking for a cheap, but thoughtful gift for a camera enthusiast, go for a patterned camera strap. Most photographers keep the same one that came free with the camera, however adding a nice colourful one will make your camera feel more personalised and can stop it from getting mixed up with another camera. I have a pink neoprene one which helps with the strain a camera can have on your neck.

You can't go wrong with a camera bag either. Most camera bag designs just look like well camera bags and aren't the most attractive thing ever, but they protect your camera. However, someone heard my prayers and they've began making really pretty ones like this satchel, this one which has removable padding and can become a leisure bag and this one.

A still life fanatic would appreciate a portable mini studio and a landscape photographer may like a rain cover

And if you're really struggling with ideas: a cleaning kit.

Or a selfie stick. If you want to be beaten with it after opening.

Photobooks

I do appreciate a good photobook or one that can give me ideas and help me improve my photography.

For £99, you can get a first edition of Kirsty Mitchell's Wonderland book. 
Another of my favourite photographers, Miss Aniela has two very interesting books, on on self-portraiture and one on creative portraiture. I have both those books and they are very informative and have extremely fascinating images.

And for the wildlife lovers, the annual Wildlife Photographer of the Year book is out now.

Merry Christmas everyone :)