diff --git a/backend/app/services/image_generator.py b/backend/app/services/image_generator.py
index d8e15c2..8165bc0 100644
--- a/backend/app/services/image_generator.py
+++ b/backend/app/services/image_generator.py
@@ -222,18 +222,21 @@ async def generate(job_id: str):
             image_data, filename = await _generate_imagen(input_data)
             job.api_model = input_data.get("model", "imagen-4.0-generate-001")
         elif provider == "nano-banana" or provider == "gemini":
-            # Fetch reference image if provided
-            ref_id = input_data.get("reference_asset_id")
+            # The API endpoint converts reference_asset_id to reference_image (base64)
+            # So we use that directly instead of loading from database
+            ref_image_b64 = input_data.get("reference_image")
             ref_image_data = None
-            ref_mime_type = "image/png" # Default
+            ref_mime_type = "image/png"  # Default
 
-            if ref_id:
-                 ref_asset = db.query(Asset).filter(Asset.id == ref_id).first()
-                 if ref_asset and os.path.exists(ref_asset.file_path):
-                     with open(ref_asset.file_path, "rb") as f:
-                         ref_image_data = f.read()
-                     if ref_asset.mime_type:
-                         ref_mime_type = ref_asset.mime_type
+            if ref_image_b64:
+                import base64
+                try:
+                    ref_image_data = base64.b64decode(ref_image_b64)
+                    # Detect MIME type from decoded data
+                    ref_mime_type = determine_mime_type(ref_image_data)
+                    logger.info(f"✓ Decoded reference image from base64 ({ref_mime_type}, {len(ref_image_data)} bytes)")
+                except Exception as e:
+                    logger.error(f"Failed to decode reference_image base64: {e}")
 
             image_data, filename = await _generate_nano_banana(input_data, ref_image_data, ref_mime_type)
             job.api_model = input_data.get("model", "gemini-3-pro-image-preview")
diff --git a/frontend/app/image/edit-pro/page.tsx b/frontend/app/image/edit-pro/page.tsx
index ecbe7c1..9d79b42 100644
--- a/frontend/app/image/edit-pro/page.tsx
+++ b/frontend/app/image/edit-pro/page.tsx
@@ -98,8 +98,13 @@ export default function NanoBananaProPage() {
 
             if (currentAsset) {
                 payload.reference_asset_id = currentAsset.id;
+                console.log('✓ Adding reference asset:', currentAsset.id, currentAsset.original_filename);
+            } else {
+                console.warn('⚠️ No currentAsset - generating from scratch');
             }
 
+            console.log('📤 Sending payload:', JSON.stringify(payload, null, 2));
+
             // Use direct API call with JSON
             const response = await api.post('/modules/image/generate', payload);