Mario Jelavic is a professional photographer based in Split, Croatia.

While many professional photographers focus on a single field, Mario’s photographic journey is deeply connected not only to his career but also to his life path. His portfolio ranges from fashion photography—drawing on his own experience as a model in Croatia and London—to aerial photography taken from helicopters and planes, underwater photography as a certified SSI Master Diver, and war photography, which he captured through the eyes of a soldier, having served in the 4th Brigade of the Croatian Army.

His war photography was briefly replaced by commercial assignments in the South of France, where he captured the architecture of luxury holiday villas on the Côte d’Azur. Soon after, he returned to the Balkans to work with REUTERS, covering the war in Bosnia. Having witnessed the horrors of war, Mario eventually put down his camera and joined humanitarian organizations, including the International Red Cross in Geneva (as a VIP Field Officer) and the UNHCR, coordinating convoys that delivered aid and food to victims and refugees. He continued this work for four years, primarily in Bosnia.

With the end of the war in the Balkans, Mario returned to his first love – the sea. He worked as Executive Editor, and later as Editor-in-Chief, of Nautica magazine. This editorial career was preceded by his professional work as a skipper, which enriched his knowledge of vessels of all types and sizes. Over the years, he has specialized in testing and photographing yachts at international boat shows and sea trials worldwide.

In 2006, he founded his own company ARGER, providing services in marketing, photography, and graphic design. Imago+, the studio for photography and film, operates as part of ARGER. Mario continues to collaborate with leading nautical magazines, uniting his passion for the sea with his lifelong dedication to visual storytelling.