Lucy Rosen

April 2023 Issue

by Lesley Kyle

Photography (top and bottom left) by Cassidy Dunn
Nature Photography by Lucy Rosen

Lucy Rosen first fell in love with the Lowcountry in 2015 when she arrived to help a business acquaintance open a new medical practice and spa in Bluffton. Noting the area’s rapid expansion and an absence of marketing and public relations agencies, Lucy sensed an opportunity, put down roots, and made the Lowcountry her home. An abundance of natural beauty in her new surroundings fired up Lucy’s creative pistons: personally and professionally.

By day, Lucy owns and runs Smart Marketing Communications, a full-service marketing and public relations firm headquartered in Bluffton with satellite offices in New York, New Mexico, and North Carolina. She is President of Women on the Fast Track, a nationally recognized networking organization for women in business. Dubbed “The Queen of Networking,” Lucy also authored a book titled, Fast Track Networking: Turning Conversations Into Contacts, which reveals tips for expanding professional networks and building new relationships.

As a seasoned professional, Lucy delivers her clients’ messages through the marketing strategies and campaigns she and her team create. These stories, in effect, are conveyed through different marketing channels, from websites to public relations to social media. But in the evenings and during weekends, Lucy becomes a visual storyteller by spending time in nature. “It’s my recharge/regroup passion,” she said. “Some of my best ideas for clients come to me while I’m out photographing!” Her personal photography website, www.lucygrosenphotography.com, houses a collection of stunning avian photographs snapped here in the Lowcountry.

Lucy’s passion for photography is driven by her love of imagery, stories, and connection. Her main goal for each photograph she takes is to capture an image that compels the viewer to connect with and “feel” something when they look at it. With so many magnificent vistas and landscapes and a wide array of wildlife in our area, Lucy has her choice of photography subjects. “It’s birds for me. Always birds,” said Lucy. “The first time I saw an egret, I followed it as long as I could before it took off. I watched it fly away, and I thought, ‘This is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen!’ That was until I saw a Roseate Spoonbill.”

With no shortage of birds to study, Lucy is especially intrigued by the stories these magnificent creatures tell—albeit in their own way. Subtle, yet romantic, overtures and gestures between mates are among Lucy’s favorite avian stories. Her goal is to not only photograph a gorgeous bird but to also pass on its story through the photographs she takes. “That’s why I love it when one of my birds does something that lends itself to a story—especially a romantic story—such as a Great Blue Heron bringing his mate a gigantic branch as a nest-building gift,” said Lucy. “Or when an Osprey catches a fish, bites the head off, and not only presents it to its mate but also holds it for her while she eats.” A confessed romantic at heart, photos demonstrating connection between these remarkable creatures are among Lucy’s favorites to capture.

Recently, Lucy traveled to Alaska to photograph bears in the wild. As COVID restrictions slowly lifted, and people exited a different form of hibernation, her solo trip to photograph bears in their native habitat seemed almost symbolic of the times. Kayaking with her guide through crystal-clear waters, Lucy landed on the banks of a remote island inhabited only by bears. She was greeted by a mother bear and her two cubs, so close to her vantage point that she could smell their scent. “They walked right past me to the water’s edge to fish and eat. It was beyond scary, and it was the most exhilarating feeling I’ve ever felt,” said Lucy. “We stayed for the day, and I took thousands of photos; I just sat on a log in absolute wonder and joy that I got to experience this.”

Lucy’s penchant for the stories she captures through her camera lens will soon lead her to other distant parts of the globe. Her next travel adventure will take her to the Galapagos Islands at the end of May, followed by a trip to Machu Pichu with her daughter, Sam. “You can dream about doing something, or you can actually do it,” said Lucy, “and doing it feels a whole lot better than just dreaming about it.” Lucy encourages other women to pursue their passions relentlessly. “Whatever it takes, do it—as much as you can, as often as you can—and don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t.”

View Lucy’s photo gallery:
www.lucygrosenphotography.com,
and follow her on Instagram @lucygrosen.