Quick Answer
Lake Ann Park in Chanhassen gives you a wooded path, a sandy beach on the water and open grass all in one stop, so a family session can move from spot to spot while the kids keep playing. A late September evening there brings warm, low light through the trees and over the lake. Parking has always been easy for the families I photograph there, and it hasn’t felt crowded on our evenings in the park.
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I met these triplets in the NICU. These days they have a baby sister, and every fall I get to see how much they’ve grown since. Lake Ann Park family photos in Chanhassen have become part of that yearly routine, and it’s a spot I’d happily send other Twin Cities families to.
I’ve been photographing families across Minneapolis, St. Paul and the Twin Cities for more than 15 years. Here’s how this session went, what Lake Ann Park gives you for family photos, and what to know before you plan your own.
How did I first meet this family?
For more than eight years, I’ve offered complimentary NICU sessions to Twin Cities families whose babies are still in the NICU. It’s my way of giving back, and I photograph a lot of NICU families because of it.
That’s how I met the triplets. Their parents have booked a family session with me every year since, so I’ve watched three tiny babies turn into three kids who would rather run than sit, and then welcomed a baby sister into the mix.
Why are Lake Ann Park family photos a good choice?
Lake Ann Park is a 102-acre city park in Chanhassen, and the part that matters for photos is how much variety sits close together. In one evening we used:
- A wooded path under tall trees, where the light comes through the leaves
- A sandy beach right on the lake, which is where the sunset photos happen
- Open grass with room for a blanket and a lot of rolling around
- A playground nearby, which is a gift when small kids need a break
It’s also easy. This family has always found plenty of parking, and it hasn’t felt crowded during our sessions. When you have four little ones to unload, a short walk from the car to the first spot counts for a lot.
What does a late September session look like?
We started under the trees on the path, with everyone together while the kids still had clean knees. Then we split things up: Mom with the girls, Dad with the baby, and a few quick portraits of each of the triplets on their own.
The blanket on the grass held their attention for about as long as you’d expect. Some of my favorite frames are the ones where all three ended up flat on their backs in the grass, laughing at nothing in particular.
We made our way down to the beach as the sun dropped behind the trees, and got the whole family walking along the shoreline with the light behind them. Then we finished at the playground with the slide and the swings, because once little kids see a playground, that’s where the session ends.
What should you wear for fall family photos at Lake Ann Park?
This family wore a palette that works almost anywhere in the fall: taupe and oatmeal, a soft green, navy and cream, with a small floral on the girls. Nothing matched exactly, and everything looked like it belonged together.
- Soft neutrals sit well against both the green trees and the pale sand
- One or two deeper colors, like navy or green, keep the group from washing out
- Small prints work better than big logos or bold graphics
Before every session I send my clients a Looks Book with outfit ideas and shopping links, so nobody is standing in the closet the night before wondering if stripes go with plaid.
Thinking about family photos at Lake Ann Park, or somewhere closer to home? I’ll help you pick the spot and plan the rest.
When is the best time for family photos at Lake Ann Park?
I start my outdoor sessions about an hour before sunset, so the start time moves earlier as fall goes on.
That timing gives you two kinds of light in one session. Early on, the sun filters through the trees on the path. By the end, it’s low over the water and the beach glows. If you only remember one thing about Lake Ann, save the beach for last.
For more on timing your fall session, read Fall Family Photos in Minnesota: When Should You Book?
How do you get relaxed family photos with triplets and a baby?
With four little kids, the plan is to keep moving. Every new spot is a reset, and a reset buys you another stretch of good attention.
- Start with the whole family while everyone is fresh
- Split into smaller groups so the kids who are done can play
- Use the beach for the golden light, while everyone still has energy
- End at the playground, since nobody is leaving a slide to pose somewhere else
The photos I love most from this evening are the in-between ones: a giggle with a hand over his mouth, Dad tossing the baby, three kids rolling in the grass.
If you’re planning photos with little ones, my 5 prep tips for family photos with little kids will help.
Ready to plan your own Lake Ann Park family photos?
Lake Ann Park family photos work because the park gives you trees, sand, water and space to play without a long walk between them, and the evening light does a lot of the work. For a family like this one, it’s become the easy yearly tradition.
If you’re in Chanhassen or anywhere in the Twin Cities and want photos that look like your kids on a good evening, I’d love to hear from you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lake Ann Park Family Photos
Is Lake Ann Park a good location for family photos?
Yes. Lake Ann Park in Chanhassen has a wooded path, a sandy beach on the lake and open grass close together, so you get several different looks in one session. There’s also a playground nearby, which helps when young kids need a break.
What is the best time of day for family photos at Lake Ann Park?
About an hour before sunset is ideal. The light comes through the trees on the path first, then sits low over the water at the beach for the last photos of the session.
Is parking easy at Lake Ann Park?
In my experience, yes. The families I photograph there have always found plenty of parking, and the park hasn’t felt crowded during our evening sessions.
Do you offer NICU photography in the Twin Cities?
Yes. For more than eight years I’ve offered complimentary NICU sessions to Twin Cities families whose babies are still in the NICU. Some of those families, like this one, keep coming back as their kids grow.
What happens if it rains on the day of our Lake Ann Park session?
If rain is in the forecast, we pick a new date together. This same family’s 2026 session at Lake Ann got rained out, and we simply moved it about a week later.
Michele Quattrin of mQn Photography is a Minneapolis family photographer who documents motherhood, babies, and families with a timeless, honest style. With 15 years of experience and a background in photojournalism, she is especially drawn to the real moments that make early newborn sessions so meaningful. Her approach is gentle, polished, and natural, which makes her a great fit for Fresh 48 photography at hospitals like The Mother Baby Center at Children’s Minneapolis. Michele serves families across Minneapolis, Edina, and the Twin Cities, creating images that feel both heartfelt and refined. Learn more about Michele here.
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