Hi, my name is Jadranka Isabel, but everyone calls me Jace.

Thirty two years ago, I left the warmth and beauty of my home in Germany and Croatia and made my way to the United States, ready to start a new chapter. I didn’t know then how much my life was about to change or that I would discover a passion that would shape me in ways I couldn’t have imagined. What started as a simple moment of curiosity turned into one of the great loves of my life: photography.

The journey began twenty five years ago with my daughter, Jas. She was just five years old at the time, full of the kind of uncontainable joy that only children seem to carry so effortlessly. I remember that day so vividly. She had been gifted a pair of butterfly wings—simple, from the Dollar Store—and yet she wore them with the pride of royalty. Watching her, my heart felt so full. I wanted—no, I needed—to hold onto that feeling, that moment, forever.

So, I did something I had never done before. I borrowed a friend’s camera, tucked a roll of black-and-white film into my pocket, and strapped Jas into the car. Together, we headed to the Old Time Diner down the road, a little place brimming with charm and character. I had no idea what I was doing. I didn’t know how to adjust settings or frame a shot. I only knew that I wanted to capture the magic of my little girl and the way her spirit seemed to light up the world around her.

That day, something extraordinary happened. As I looked through the lens, it was as if a whole new world unfolded before me. I started noticing details I had overlooked before—the way the light danced on her curls, the way her smile could transform a room, the quiet beauty in the worn texture of the diner’s booths and floors. The camera allowed me to see life in a way I had never seen it before—raw, authentic, and breathtakingly beautiful.

In that moment, I fell in love—not just with photography, but with the act of seeing. Seeing the small, tender moments. The in-between glances. The way love shows itself in the simplest of ways. I never looked back.

Twenty five years later, my passion for photography has only grown deeper. The camera has become more than a tool; it’s an extension of who I am, my way of connecting with the world around me. Through it, I’ve learned to embrace imperfection, to find beauty in the messy, unpolished parts of life, and to cherish the fleeting moments that so often go unnoticed.

Now, I call Gaylord, Michigan, my home, but my work takes me all across the United States. Every session, every wedding, every story I capture feels like a gift. It’s an honor to witness people’s most meaningful moments—their joy, their love, their vulnerability—and preserve them in a way that they can hold onto forever.

Looking back, I can’t believe how this journey started—just a mom with a borrowed camera, a roll of film, and a five-year-old muse in butterfly wings. But isn’t that the beauty of life? The most incredible adventures often begin in the most unexpected ways.

So, thank you for being here, for letting me share a piece of my heart and my story. I would be honored to get the chance to capture yours someday too.

With gratitude and love,