This year, up the ante with your Christmas cards by using your own images. Add a big dose of personality to the festive tradition by giving your loved ones a card that shows off your photography skills as well as celebrating the season.

Your beautiful images of Christmas-inspired scenes could end up as a Christmas card or even a series of canvas prints for your home, or you could give personalised prints as presents for your nearest and dearest.

Christmas activities

The festive season brings with it some excellent activities for the whole family, providing a great opportunities to put your camera to use.

First up is sledging, which brings a smile to small children and adults alike. If the snow has made an appearance, it would just be rude not to get the sledges out for some action shots of the family. Work on your photography skills with moving objects, white details and reflecting lights.

Ice skating is photo-worthy too as you watch everyone battle to stay upright on the ice. If you’ll be in London this festive season, be sure to get to Somerset House before 15 January to enjoy ice skating in the stunning courtyard during the day. By night, there are club nights with music from international DJs and ‘après-skate’ at Fortnum’s Lodge.

Snowy landscapes

To increase your chances of a snowy Christmas card scene, check out this list of top locations most likely to see snow in the UK.

Princetown, Dartmoor – 1,300ft above sea-level, Princetown is one of the highest towns in the UK. Sure to see a significant covering of snow, this is a good bet for finding the perfect snowy backdrop along with the wild beauty of Dartmoor.

Edinburgh, Scotland – When the snowflakes begin the fall and the snow forms a blanket over the city, the scenery becomes magical. The beautiful architecture is already camera-friendly but add in the snow and you have the ideal look for a wintry scene for your cards.

The Dark Hedges, County Antrim, Northern Ireland – As one of the filming locations for Game of Thrones, this spooky looking road is impressive in the winter months. It is considered the most photographed natural phenomenon in Northern Ireland.

Nature in focus

There’s something so Christmassy about a little Robin perched on a snowy branch, and what better way to play about with focus, colour and the patience needed to find and capture wildlife on camera?

Check out this guide from the RSPB, which contains all you need to know about Britain’s favourite bird. From where to see them, what they sound like singing and more about their behaviour – all key to finding and capturing the perfect shot. You can also check article about most beautiful birds by Chipper Birds.

We hope you’ve found these tips to finding the best Christmas card scene useful. Check out our recent post on Christmas light displays and the Parrot Print guide to getting the family together for the perfect photo over the holiday period.