Minnesota Fall Photos at Lake Ann with Adorable Triplets

Minnesota Fall Photos at Lake Ann 🍂

There’s something utterly magical about Minnesota fall photos—the crisp air, golden leaves, and that soft, magical light that makes every smile sparkle a little brighter. And when that autumn charm meets three darling three-year-olds, the result is pure heart-melty joy.

A Friendship That Started in the NICU

I first met these giggling trio when they were fresh from the NICU, tiny and fierce in equal measure. Fast-forward to their recent fall session at Lake Ann, and they’ve grown into the most loving, smart, spirited siblings—and still among my favorite little people to photograph. Now that Mom just discovered she’s expecting a baby sister, this session felt extra special—a celebration of “right now” while it lasts.

More about NICU Photos

Lake Ann’s Golden Charm

Lake Ann has that storybook quality in autumn—golden cottonwoods reflect like candles in still water, a breeze rustles through pine branches, and light filters through with painterly perfection. As the triplets pattered along the lakeshore—chasing leaves, finding sticks, and occasionally hamming it up for me—the whole scene felt like a living postcard. A photographer’s dream.

Real Moments: Big Leaves, Sandy Toes, and Playful Giggles

The big leaf find: One of the boys proudly discovered a leaf the size of his head. Seriously, it was a good one. He held onto it like treasure for most of the shoot, occasionally pausing to admire it mid-portrait.
Sand digs and giggles: After the main portraits, the kids wandered down to the edge of the lake where the sand became their playground. Digging, sifting, and delighting in that perfect, tactile toddler way—it made for some of my favorite candid frames.
Play structure finale: The real jackpot? The play structure nearby. Once the portraits were in the bag, we let them loose—and that’s when their personalities truly came alive. Slides, climbing, and wild joy... it was the perfect wrap to an already sweet session.

Something Sweet on the Horizon

During our time together, Mom shared that a baby sister is on the way. There was something extra tender about photographing the triplets in this moment, knowing their world is about to shift in the best way. You can already see how much love is waiting for their new sibling. These images feel like a little time capsule of their bond, just before it grows even bigger.

Family Photos

Watching Them Grow

Photographing this family has been one of those full-circle joys. I met these three when they were still in the NICU, impossibly tiny and already filled with personality. Every year since, I’ve had the honor of documenting who they’re becoming. From sleepy newborn swaddles to sandy toes at Lake Ann, their sessions are less about capturing perfection and more about preserving their rhythm, their connection, and the way they love being around each other.

This fall felt especially meaningful. Their bond has only deepened with time—they’re playful, tender, wildly smart, and so in sync with one another. And now with a baby sister on the way, it feels like the closing of one chapter and the start of another. That’s the magic of what I get to do. I don’t just show up for a single shoot. I get to grow with these families, see the seasons shift, and create something lasting from all the beautiful, everyday moments in between.

What This Session Reminded Me

Sessions like this are exactly why I do what I do. It’s not just about photos. It’s about making space for parents to breathe, for kids to be themselves, and for the quiet parts of family life to shine through in ways you can hold onto.

From helping with outfits (yes, I have a client closet that makes things so much easier) to making the session feel more like a relaxed playdate than a formal shoot, my job is to take the stress off your plate and give you something real. Something beautiful. Something you’ll actually print and frame and revisit years from now.

If you're ready to capture your own season—whatever it looks like—I’d love to create that space for you too.

Let’s Talk Toddlers and Expectations

If you’re parenting toddlers, you already know. You can dream up the most Pinterest-worthy vision. Lake Ann glowing in fall color, matching knits, genuine smiles. And then real life shows up with a three-year-old who just wants to sprint toward a slide and refuses to wear the sweater you picked.

This session reminded me again that when it comes to photographing little ones, letting go of control is half the magic. The best sessions happen when we meet kids where they are. That means dropping the pressure and trusting the flow of the day.

Here’s what I’ve learned from years of photographing toddlers, including three at once:

What Not to Bring to Your Fall Photo Session

1. Rigid expectations
Kids don’t perform on cue, and the second we try to make them, things unravel fast. Come in knowing they’ll be themselves. That’s actually the goal. Whether they’re silly, shy, energetic, or in a full mood cycle, we’ll follow their lead and find the beauty in it.

2. Snacks, stuffies, and bribes
I know it feels wrong. But those comfort items quickly become distractions. Snacks turn into requests every five seconds. Favorite toys and stuffies? They sneak into every frame and are nearly impossible to edit out. Even the promise of a toy can derail a session if it gets introduced too soon. My advice? Leave it all in the car. Let’s keep the focus on connection.

3. Screens
This one’s tough, I know. But once a screen comes out, we’ve lost the moment. It’s almost impossible to come back from that. Instead, bring the magic your kids already know. The silly sound that gets them giggling. The tickle game they love. Their world is already full of wonder. We don’t need apps to unlock it.

When you let go of the pressure and let your child be exactly who they are, something real shows up. That’s where the good stuff lives.

Local Family-Friendly Spot Nearby

Just a five‑minute drive from Lake Ann Park you'll find Ruby’s Family Restaurant in Chanhassen. It’s the perfect easy wrap‑up for a fall session. Everything is warm, homey, and familiar—breakfast skillets, juicy burgers, kid favorites like mac & cheese, and friendly service that makes families feel at ease.

The Experience

Why This Session Matters

There’s something powerful about seeing your children not just as individuals, but as a unit. Watching the way these triplets moved together, leaned into one another, shared space and joy—it reminded me what a gift it is to witness sibling connection unfold naturally.

Their story began in the NICU. Their mom has documented every season since. And now, with a new baby on the way, they’re standing at the edge of a whole new chapter.

This session wasn’t about perfection. It was about pausing time right here. Right before everything changes again.

And that’s what makes these images matter. They aren’t just for now. They’re for the future. For the day that new little sister looks back and sees how loved she already was. For the moment their mom needs to remember just how full and beautiful this season really was.

Looking Ahead

By the time fall rolls around again, these three will be four. There will be a new baby in the mix. The rhythm of their family will shift in beautiful, unpredictable ways.

And when that time comes, I’ll be there to document it—just like always. Because this is what it means to invest in your family’s story. Not just one session, but a growing collection of chapters. Each one as full of love as the last.

Ready to Tell Your Story?

If this season with your kids feels like it’s moving too fast, you’re not alone. That’s why I do what I do. To help you slow it down. To give you a way to hold on to it—visibly, tangibly, and beautifully.

If you’ve been thinking about Minnesota fall photos for your family, now’s the time to start planning. I’ll take care of the details. You just show up as you are.

Let’s make something that lasts.

Pricing

Michele Quattrin is a Minneapolis based family photographer who specializes in turning real moments into refined, heartfelt art. With more than 15 years of experience and a calming presence that parents call magic, she has built lasting relationships with families across all stages of motherhood. From NICU sessions to new siblings and everything in between, Michele is known for her timeless style, client wardrobe access, and an approach that keeps things easy and meaningful. Her work lives on the walls of homes, tucked into heirloom albums, and in the hearts of the families she photographs.

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