Growing Up as a Millennial on the Northshore
One of my many embarrassing senior photos… proof that I truly did grow up here in Mandeville.
Growing up on the Northshore of Lake Pontchartrain as a Millennial came with a unique blend of small-town charm and slow, steady growth. Back then, places like Covington, Mandeville, and Slidell felt a lot quieter—more pine trees than coffee shops, and definitely fewer roundabouts. We spent our time riding bikes through the neighborhood, hanging out at the local parks, or catching a movie at the old theater before all the big retail chains had eventually moved in. It was a simpler time, but not in a boring way—just rooted in community, nature, and homegrown fun. Looking back now, it’s wild to see how much has changed.
Hurricane Katrina in 2005 marked a massive turning point for the region. A lot of families relocated from New Orleans to the Northshore, and with that came a wave of development—new neighborhoods, schools, restaurants, and businesses popped up faster than anyone expected. Suddenly, our once-quiet area became a hub for growth, and we watched the landscape of our hometowns shift almost overnight. For Millennials like me, that meant growing up with one foot in the past and the other in the middle of big change. We became used to adapting, blending nostalgia with the new normal. And as much tragedy and healing as there was at the time—I don’t view this as a bad thing, by any means. Being adaptable has been incredibly helpful throughout my lifetime.
Boomers and Gen-Xers remember a Northshore that was more rural, more removed, and far less connected than it is today. Meanwhile, Gen Z has mostly known it as a rapidly growing, highly developed area with all the modern amenities—big schools, fast Wi-Fi, and plenty of Target runs. For us Millennials, we lived the in-between years where dirt roads turned into subdivisions and mom-and-pop diners had to compete with national chains. That perspective has shaped how we see community, business, and growth, and it’s probably why so many of us value both authenticity and innovation in the work we do today.
Mandeville Lakefront, 2025, by SightSeen Photography
Now that I run a photography business focused on real estate, I get to see the Northshore from a new angle—literally. Whether I'm capturing a drone shot of a newly built neighborhood or photographing a charming old home with decades of stories in its walls, I’m reminded of how far this place has come. Growing up here gave me a deep appreciation for the region’s transformation, and I’m proud to be part of its next chapter. The Northshore isn’t just where I live—it’s part of who I am, and I’m excited to help others see its beauty through the lens.
