• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Lasso The Moon
  • Welcome
  • Parenting
  • Recipes
  • Family Games
  • Travel
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Welcome
  • Parenting
  • Recipes
  • Family Games
  • Travel
search icon
Homepage link
  • Welcome
  • Parenting
  • Recipes
  • Family Games
  • Travel
×

Home » Blog » Monthly Inspiration » March Inspiration

Saying YES To Spring Fun + Tips For How to Capture A Terrific Puddle Action Photo

Published: Apr 17, 2019 by Zina Harrington · Post may contain affiliate links

Every spring we have the opportunity to embrace April showers and capture some amazing action photos of our kids puddle jumping! Get five candid photography tips below for snapping a terrific water action photo.

. . .

April showers bring — yes, yes, we know — May flowers.

April showers also present the opportunity to say YES to puddle jumping.

Below are five family photography tips for capturing the joy of springtime puddle jumping.

It had been raining for days. DAYS. The minute the sun peaked out, the kids rushed out of the house and went straight for the enormous puddles. They immediately began to dance.

How to Get a Terrific Puddle Action Photo + Printable Spring Photo Lists! #photography #photographytips #photographylist *Love this post on how to get a great water action photo when puddle jumping with kids!

After about five minutes, I realized I was missing an opportunity to capture childhood. I ran back into the house to grab my camera. Look at that muddy water!

How to Get a Terrific Puddle Action Photo + Printable Spring Photo Lists! #photography #photographytips #photographylist *Love this post on how to get a great water action photo when puddle jumping with kids!

When I saw our neighbor sit in a mud puddle in a striped dress, I asked her, “Does your mom know you are out here?” She replied, “My moms at work, but my dad knows.” I just looked at her and smiled.

How to Get a Terrific Puddle Action Photo + Printable Spring Photo Lists! #photography #photographytips #photographylist *Love this post on how to get a great water action photo when puddle jumping with kids!

How to Get a Terrific Puddle Action Photo

Here are a few simple tips for capturing the joy of puddle jumping:

1. You want a candid photograph, so don’t interrupt.

Quietly get shots as your little one savors the joy of puddle jumping.

2. When doing lifestyle photography, you want to capture the details.

You don’t need an adorable face in every photo. Take pictures of details, too. Boots, splashes, dirty hands … get these precious details.

3. Pick the right camera setting for your action photo.

If you are shooting on auto with a point-and-shoot or DSLR camera, adjust your camera to a “sport” setting. Usually, this is represented by an icon of a person running. This will increase your shutter speed and help reduce blur in your photos!

4. Capture an action photo of the puddle’s movements too.

If you are shooting in manual with a DSLR, try to pump your shutter speed. You want to capture the motion of the water. It has a personality of its own. Also, if your kids are wiggle worms, like mine, be cautious of your aperture. I have a few shots that turned out poorly because my depth of field was off. These pictures were taken on a 50mm, ISO 800, f/3.2 and shutter speed of 1/1600 sec.

5. Action photos are great but don't forget to grab 15-seconds of ADORABLE.

If you are taking pictures with your smartphone, be sure to share a video on Instagram. What’s cuter than puddle jumping?!!

Bonus Real Life Photography Tip:

Don’t be afraid to “Say Cheese” at the end of your photo session. I strongly advocate a journalistic approach to capturing everyday moments of childhood, but there is nothing wrong with a traditional everybody look at the camera shot. My personal goal is to just ask for ONE of these with each session of pictures I take.

How to Get a Terrific Puddle Action Photo + Printable Spring Photo Lists! #photography #photographytips #photographylist *Love this post on how to get a great water action photo when puddle jumping with kids!

Look at that cute sweater dress completely soaked in mud! I ran into her mom later in the week and she asked, “Did your kids come in soaked to the bone, too?” She smiled and secretly admitted that she was glad her husband was home that afternoon rather than her. Sometimes as parents it is hard to say yes to puddles, to mud … to a mess.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: If you love taking puddle jumping action photos as much as I do, be sure to also check out our post on Summer Water Action Photography!

I am so thankful I grabbed my camera, so I could share photos of the lovely time her daughter had enjoyed. These pictures are all from the spring of 2013 and the trio of girls has already changed and grown. I am thankful to have captured such a magical afternoon.

How to Get a Terrific Puddle Action Photo + Printable Spring Photo Lists! #photography #photographytips #photographylist *Love this post on how to get a great water action photo when puddle jumping with kids!

I know the water is messy, but I encourage you to take a breath and say YES to puddle jumping.

Embrace the season. You won’t regret it.

P.S. I didn't forget!!! Check out these great printable Spring Photo Lists from two of my favorite photographers!

Spring Photo Lists

  • Snap Happy Mama — PRINTABLE LIST
  • Simple As That — PRINTABLE LIST

Love this action photo post? Sharing it would make our week. ?

It would make our week if you took a second to share this lifestyle photography post on your favorite social media spot. (That's how we know we're on the right track and should continue writing more posts like this!)

Pin it:

How to Get a Terrific Puddle Action Photo + Printable Spring Photo Lists! #photography #photographytips #photographylist *Love this post on how to get a great water action photo when puddle jumping with kids!

More March Inspiration

  • Gifts For Mom — 10 Unique Mother's Day Gifts for YOUR Parents Who Have (And Can Afford!) Everything #mothersday #giftsformom *Loving this entire list of Mother's Day gift ideas
    10 Unique Mother's Day Gifts for YOUR Parents — Who Have (And Can Afford!) Everything
  • Stop Motion Animation for Kids: A super-simple tutorial for children *This is so cool. Love this 3D pirate ship puzzle they used in their project.
    Stop Motion Animation for KIDS!
  • These Ham and Cheese Crescent Puffs are to die for. The mustard glaze is unbelievably delicious! *Great list of make-ahead ideas for menu planning. Perfect for parties, celebrating the holidays, or enjoying a lazy weekend breakfast at home with your family.
    30+ Brunch Ideas: Including Ham-&-Cheese Crescent Puffs
  • 3 Easter Photos of the Kids You Simply Must Take - Parent Photography 101 *Loving this free spring photography checklist too
    3 Easter Photos You Absolutely Can’t Miss

Primary Sidebar

Portrait of Zina

Hi, I'm Zina! You know you’re in the right spot if — You believe in game nights. You believe in PJ movie parties. You believe in breakfast for dinner. And most importantly, you believe happiness is family.

Let me show you around →

Popular

  • A cat who is nervous about moving hiding under a couch.
    7 Astoundingly Helpful Tips for Moving With Cats into a New Home
  • Two woman sitting on the sidewalk talking about turning 40.
    5 Brutally Honest Things Every Woman Turning 40 Should Know
  • How to Maximize Space in Your Luggage: You'll be amazed at what's in this suitcase *10 packing tips and hacks for your next family vacation
    The Best Way To Pack a Suitcase: How to Travel With a Family + a Single Suitcase
  • How to Ensure Your Tween ROCKS the First Day of Middle School: Know what to wear on the first day ahead of time. If you’re daughter is like mine, she’ll likely have this picked out a week in advance. Recommend she picks a secondary outfit, “just incase she isn’t feeling it” on the first day. It is always good to have a back-up plan. *Great list of back-to-school tips for tweens
    How to Ensure Your Tween ROCKS the First Day of Middle School
  • Hidden Valley Ranch Chicken Marinade — THE BEST Chicken Recipe With Only 4-Ingredients!
  • This cheesy chicken pot pie biscuit casserole is SO GOOD. If you’re pinched for time, keep this 30-minute cheesy chicken biscuit casserole simple with ingredients from your pantry. This quick and easy chicken bake uses cream of chicken soup and sour cream, so it is amazingly creamy. *This is a keeper! My kids (and husband!) love it.
    Chicken Biscuit Casserole

Footer

↑ back to top

Lasso The Moon

  • About This Site
  • Disclosure
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Policy

Slow Down In Life

  • Overwhelm and busy get in the way of finding time for what really matters in life. Ready to reset? Join me at Becoming UnBusy too!

Slow Living Movement

  • "She silently stepped out of the race she never wanted to be in, found her own lane, and proceeded to win."
    — Pam Lambert

Copyright © 2020 Lasso The Moon

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.