Words & Pictures by Jeannie DeSena

04/30/2026

Thank you for an incredible night out, ! Thank you, , .wee , ._paak , , and The Hooligans for lighting up unforgettably with . I just might still be smiling.

04/16/2026

I am grateful to be an exhibiting artist in the Home Grown show in Cornelius and to have opportunities to show my photography in my town. Come out tonight for the opening reception, or check out the show before it closes May 9.

04/11/2026

Backflip, boogie, or bump your way to tonight’s performance of Davidson Dance Ensemble’s Spring Showcase — your last chance to catch this high-energy, feel-good event. I loved photographing their dress rehearsal this week and have been jamming out to the music while working on the photos. Check out their page for ticket links. Congrats, Dance Ensemble crew!

03/10/2026

Did you know I travel to college campuses for graduation portraits? If you are earning a bachelor’s or master’s degree or even a doctorate, let’s talk! Message me for details.

03/09/2026

As a parent of young adults, I know what a cause for celebration it is when everyone (or almost everyone!) can be together. Kristin, Rob, and their family were so much fun when we captured these portraits at their home on the shores of Lake Norman. The first photo graced their Christmas card. Kristin and Rob, I look forward to working with you again. Congratulations on being featured by Safe Harbor Peninsula Yacht Club!

02/12/2026

Ten years ago this week, a young actor came to me with his mom for headshots. He was studying his craft, auditioning, and seeing where this passion of his might take him. A long way from the middle-school musical at St. Mark Catholic School in Huntersville, NC, it turns out. Since then, Matthew Erick White has traveled the country for roles, playing the young Phil Robertson of Duck Dynasty fame in the movie The Blind, landing featured roles on television and streaming series, and even suiting up as a Florida Gators football player in a recent Geico commercial (to my delight as a UF alum and his mother’s chagrin). Two days ago, he was announced as a principal cast member in year two of Stranger Things: The First Shadow at the Marquis Theatre on Broadway.

In honor of this accomplishment, I had to bring out a couple of looks from that day a decade ago. Break a leg, Matthew! I couldn’t be happier for you, and I will continue to celebrate you and your career.

12/03/2025

Creating Christmas magic on a magazine’s editorial schedule can invite some out-of-the-box thinking. This time, our brainstorms led us into the (big) box. I’m so grateful to the management at Home Depot on Statesville Road in Cornelius for allowing us to photograph this month’s cover of Cornelius Lakeside Living in their store, because their trees were twinkling before the rest of us set out our mums and pumpkins. Please get to know the Merry Magic ladies and join in on their mission. They are definitely making spirits brighter at the holidays.

11/28/2025

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11/06/2025

Photographing for Cornelius Lakeside Living - Best Version Media introduces me to the most interesting new friends and neighbors. I am thankful for this opportunity, and I thank the Davis family for their generations of service to our country.

THANKFUL. That is the theme this month with Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving, Election Day, and World Kindness Day all coming up. We are thankful for our service men and women who fight and fought to protect our country and the constitution. We are honored to share our annual Honoring Veterans issue filled with neighbors who proudly serve or served our country. Thank you to the Davis family of the Crown Harbor community for being our military family cover story this month and to all our Cornelius hometown heroes.

We are thankful for the opportunity to live in an amazing country and a republic, where we have the right to vote, have various freedoms, and enjoy other basic human and constitutional rights. We are thankful for our blessings in life like our family, our supportive communities, our health, and all the little things that bring us joy that we often take for granted and to have the time off on Thanksgiving to think about all those things and spend time with family.

Lakeside Living Magazines are thankful to all of our business sponsors for helping us to showcase our veterans and neighbors, to be a helpful resource in our community and to mail for free to our Lake Norman communities. We are excited to welcome goGLOW, Total Trade Pro LLC, and Puddle Pool Services of Charlotte to the Lakeside Living family of sponsors.

This month's issue is packed full of veteran highlights and resources for veterans. Learn the story of Harry Hart, from our local historian Andy Poore; about Duty Calls, our nonprofit spotlight, from Robert Cannon, our veteran contributor; Richard's Coffee Shop, our area treasure and veteran hotspot; and other veteran memorials and events. Check out all the late fall events in our calendar of events, as well as the fun holiday events planned in LKN towns.

Our local community experts educate us on various topics like how to protect your collections by Angie Becker of The Becker Agency, custom framing trends by Kim Saragoni of Four Corners Framing and Gallery, why stability matters for veterans by Nikki Calden REALTOR, and the five most costly mistakes homeowners make when renovating by Sarah Fiel of Home Theory.

World Kindness Day is November 13, which gives us the opportunity to think about the importance of kindness and ways that we can extend kindness to others whether they be neighbors, friends, family or strangers. As we head into the holiday season this month, take time to be thankful and to be kind.

In gratitude, The Lakeside Living Team

Photo by Words & Pictures by Jeannie DeSena

09/11/2025

Congratulations to the Executive Women of Lake Norman on 15 years! I enjoyed celebrating with friends last night at the Hurt Hub at Davidson College and capturing moments throughout the evening. I also sponsored a table to highlight my business. Thanks to these amazing ladies for the inspiration, support, and camaraderie! I'm sharing some of the photos. Let me know if you want a link to the whole gallery.