Kathleen "Rocky" LaRose is an award-winning photographer, represented by the #1 gallery in Tucson, the Madaras Gallery. Her stunning images have been featured on various magazine and book covers and in numerous articles, including Tucson Lifestyle and Wyoming Wildlife. Her "Steps of Solitude" image of a polar bear on the arctic tundra was a finalist for Outdoor Photographer's 2019 International Wildlife Image of the Year.
Rocky's photography follows her travel interest - wherever she travels her camera comes along. While wildlife is her love, photographing people and landscapes is a close 2nd. But mostly...and more importantly, it's about the adventure, the experience and meeting and making new friends around the world.
Prior to full-time photography, in 2009, Rocky became the first woman in University of Arizona’s history to serve as Director of Athletics for a combined men’s and women’s intercollegiate program. Throughout most of her 35-year career she was UArizona’s C.O.O. overseeing the internal operations of the athletics department and all 20 sports, being the first woman in her capacity to have day-to-day operational responsibilities over Division 1A/FBS football and men’s basketball programs. LaRose went on to serve 3 times as the Pac 10/12 conference Vice President and served 25 years as a member of the Pac 10/12 council, which governs all conference policies and sport regulations. She also served on the NCAA’s Management Council and was liaison to the NCAA’s Student-Athlete Advisory Board. She retired in 2014.Before starting her career she was a starting infielder and clean-up hitter for the University of Arizona softball team, leading them to their 1st conference title, and was the UA's Homecoming Queen. Nationally, she competed on the Sun City Saints team that won the USA Fastpitch Softball National Championship title and went on to represent the U.S.A. in the 1979 World Cup Softball Championship in Tokyo, Japan. She was also a Sports Illustrated Merit Award Winner.
Now retired, it is ALL about photography, travel and adventure!
