Rooted in her Serbian heritage and shaped by a deep affinity for both basketball and photography, Cassy has captured the essence of sports from unique and multifaceted perspectives. Her work goes beyond action shots or iconic plays—it’s about the people, the emotions, and the cultures that bring life to the game. 

Through her lens, Cassy offers a poetic glimpse into the world of sports, blending humanity with the artistry of photography. We had the pleasure of speaking with her about purpose, connection, and the pursuit of dreams—one frame at a time.

Serbian Roots, Raised in Los Angeles

“My mom was born in Serbia and moved to the U.S. when she was younger, specifically to Los Angeles, where I grew up with my brother. I have vivid memories of her sending us back to Serbia every summer to connect with our cousins—that’s probably where my love for sports, and especially basketball, began. I’ve always enjoyed watching sports in general. My Family is a huge football fan and loves watching all kinds of sports on TV. I’d sit with them and watch whatever was on, but basketball was always my favorite.

As a kid, I was really tall and started playing volleyball first—it was my favorite sport at the time. Unfortunately, it’s not as popular in the States, so I switched to basketball. Growing up in the City of Angels, I was a huge Kobe fan. Watching him play was one of the biggest inspirations of my life. My aunt and uncle had season tickets to Lakers games, but couldn’t make it to every game, so they’d pass the tickets to me. I also went to Clippers games because the tickets were more affordable, and the atmosphere was just as fun. In fact, my first ever NBA game was a Clippers game, and I remember a Serbian player, Marko Jarić, playing as their point guard. Being half Serbian, that really resonated with me as I was growing up and playing basketball. Later, when Sasha Vujačić joined the Lakers, he became the player I followed most closely. He was a big influence on me because we shared a similar cultural background. Watching them both made me fall even more in love with the NBA. I was always an L.A. sports fan, but my devotion to the Lakers—thanks to Sasha and Kobe—was undeniable.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always had an interest in photography, mostly because I saw it as a way to capture memories. That came from my father, he had a camera taking photos of me and my brother all the time. He was my first source of inspiration for photography. I’ve always been drawn to the culture of sports, the camaraderie of being part of a team, and the thrill of playing together, winning together, and experiencing those moments collectively. I started carrying a little camera around, taking photos of my teammates whenever we traveled for games. That’s how my love for photographing sports began.

When I entered college, I never imagined I could be a photographer—I was studying animation, art, and graphic design. But then I had this professor who worked for the Los Angeles Lakers, creating courtside videos before the games. He kept telling me, ‘You should take my other classes and learn more about photography and videography; you could make a career out of this and combine it with your passion for sports.’ He was the first person who showed me that I could actually make a living doing this.”

NBA Lockout

“2011 marked the first time I had the opportunity to photograph NBA players, when some local stars began showing up at the Drew League.

When I heard about it, I decided to head over and take some photos. To my surprise, there were no photographers at all. I wasn’t even particularly skilled at photography and didn’t have an expensive camera, but I was eager to be part of the scene. I loved the vibe, the people, and the grassroots environment where the games were played. That year, it became a regular sight to see teams made up of both NBA and amateur players, and I was there capturing every moment. It gave me the chance to meet these players in a much more informal context. Some of them even started inviting me to shoot their private parties or everyday life moments, simply because they had more free time due to the NBA lockout.

When the league returned, no one would hire me. No teams wanted to work with me, and I struggled to find opportunities. But then, social media started gaining serious traction as a promotional tool. I began posting the photos I had taken during the lockout on Instagram. As the platform grew, I shared my basketball work, and that’s when my career really took off. People started to notice my unique perspective on the sport. Unlike traditional game-focused shots, I was capturing NBA players off the court—living their personal lives, showing their lifestyle, and interacting with their families. These moments helped me realize that I could actually turn this passion into a career, and possibly even make a living from it. That’s when I started gaining visibility.”

Making Friends, Not Clients

“For me, consistency was key. I showed up at games every week, attended practices, and focused on getting to know the players over time. Building trust with them was essential. It wasn’t about instant success—it was about always following through, keeping my word, and proving myself. That’s how I earned more access. They trusted me before I had any reason to earn that trust. I think when we first met, they could tell how passionate I was about what I was doing, and they gave me a shot. Early on, players like Brandon Jennings and Nick Young were among the first to allow me that access. Once they opened the door, others began to follow. Paul George became a close friend, as did James Harden… those ‘L.A. guys’ really embraced me, trusting me to capture their world off the court. That was the breakthrough moment. Players trusting me led to more players trusting me.

Fast forward to today, and I’m still all about giving my word and following through. That mindset has allowed me to work with high-profile rappers, actors, and celebrities, building genuine friendships along the way. This is probably the core of my career. I truly cared about the people I met—not because they were famous, but because they were good people. I was invested in their lives, their families, their partners, their kids, their mothers. I wanted to know them as individuals.

Building real relationships has been crucial in strengthening my access to those intimate, powerful moments behind the lens.”

Hollywood Teachings

“I think the toughest part when you first start out as a photographer, especially in the NBA, is that you don’t know anyone. Growing up, I fell in love with sports photography, particularly basketball. I saw so many stunning photos of players, but I never knew who took them. As I got older, I began to learn about some of the major names in the industry. One photographer who really stands out to me is Andy Bernstein—he’s an iconic NBA photographer whose work I deeply admire.

Beyond the world of sports, I met photographers while working with artists, actors, and celebrities. One who had a significant impact on me was Arnold Turner. He’s the man who captured everything from Tupac and Biggie to the most notable LA celebrities. Everyone in the city knows who Arnold is—he’s a legend. When we first met, he was incredibly kind and took the time to show me how to carry myself with confidence when working with athletes or anyone I collaborate with. What makes him so inspiring to me is that he’s not just a photographer who takes great photos; he’s someone who invests time in getting to know people, engaging with them, and encouraging them. His approach has influenced how I approach my work to this day.

The style I’ve developed isn’t so much about angles, editing, or post-production techniques—it’s about capturing people in the moment, allowing emotions to shine through. For me, it’s all about raw emotion. I want the photo to speak for itself, without overthinking the technicalities. That’s my style, and I don’t think there’s any single person who influenced it—it’s been a natural evolution for me.

One of the most important lessons in becoming a photographer is finding something you truly love to shoot. Photography is hard work, and while people often see the glamorous side—hanging out with athletes—they don’t see the effort that goes into making those moments happen. The behind-the-scenes grind is what makes it all worthwhile.”

Overseas Atmosphere

“It was my first time in Australia when the NBL invited me for their famous Open Air Game. I’ve shot outdoor games before, but never one without a roof. The experience was unlike anything I had ever encountered. I flew into Melbourne and stayed for about five days. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to see much street basketball or local courts, but I had the chance to explore the city just before Christmas, which, in Australia, coincides with summer. It was a beautiful contrast to what I’m used to, especially when traveling for basketball in Europe or the U.S., where the weather tends to be cold. In Melbourne, it was the complete opposite—great weather, people out and about, and a totally different, inviting vibe surrounding the games.

Once I arrived at the arena, I was blown away by the spectacle—fireworks, laser shows, and an electric atmosphere. They even let me walk to the top of the arena, which was terrifying but thrilling at the same time. From up there, I was able to capture some incredible shots of the game from above. One of the most striking things for me was how welcoming everyone was. There were a lot of female photographers, and it was so cool to see that many of them knew my work and were genuinely excited to meet me. They shared how much my photography had inspired them, and that was a truly emotional experience. It was humbling to know that what I’m doing resonates with people across the globe.

On the basketball side of things, I knew a few of the players—like Montrezl Harrell and Ian Clark—who had played in the NBA before. It was exciting to see them bring their game overseas. The energy at the event was fantastic—there was so much crowd enthusiasm. That’s something I love about basketball games outside the NBA. When I go to Europe, the fans are so invested and genuinely passionate about supporting their team. They’re like the 6th man on the court, and their energy can totally shift the momentum of the game. In the U.S., you can only really find that kind of raw energy at college games. In the NBA, the atmosphere is different—it’s a bit more corporate. But in places like Serbia, the fans go wild and are deeply involved in every moment. Australia had a similar energy, and I absolutely loved it.”

More Sports, More Everything

“Lately, I’ve been exploring some new avenues during the season, mainly because players’ schedules are so packed. I’ve started diving more into commercials with brands. I just got back from Minnesota, where I shot Nas Reed for an energy drink company called Lucky Energy. Then, I flew to Denver to capture Nikola Jokić for his new signature shoes, and I also had the opportunity to interview him—my first time doing a player interview in front of the camera. It was especially meaningful because access to Nikola is so limited.

Another sport I’ve recently become involved in is boxing. Through some promoters I met in the basketball world, I was invited to shoot a few boxing matches. I quickly realized that no one was really capturing the celebrities in the crowd—their reactions, what they were wearing, and what they were doing. I decided to bring that perspective to the boxing world, and the organizers have allowed me a lot of freedom at the events, giving me the creative space to do whatever I want.

I’ve also shot a few volleyball games, which were incredibly challenging because the ball moves so fast. But I definitely want to do more of that in the future. Additionally, I was invited by the LA Chargers to photograph an NFL game last year. It was a bit daunting, especially with the players being so large, all suited up in heavy gear. I had to be really mindful of my own safety to avoid getting run over, and of course, the games are long and outdoors, adding another layer of difficulty. But the experience was unforgettable.

At the end of the day, what I truly love about being an independent photographer is the freedom it gives me to travel the world and capture so many different moments. While I love working with NBA players, I’m not tied to just one team or player. I relish the chance to explore new cities, and now, new countries. I’m eager to keep shooting sports and athletes in places like Europe, Australia—and who knows where else. I can’t wait to do more of it in the future.”