diff --git a/backend/services/image_processing.py b/backend/services/image_processing.py
index d871c0ef..05d8c688 100644
--- a/backend/services/image_processing.py
+++ b/backend/services/image_processing.py
@@ -88,6 +88,15 @@ class ImageProcessor:
             # Extract EXIF orientation (but don't apply yet)
             exif_orientation = self._extract_exif_orientation(image)
 
+            # Transform crop_bounds from EXIF-applied space to raw space
+            if crop_bounds and exif_orientation and exif_orientation > 1:
+                crop_bounds = self._transform_crop_bounds_by_exif(
+                    crop_bounds, exif_orientation, original_size[0], original_size[1]
+                )
+                msg = f"[CROP] EXIF {exif_orientation} transform applied: {crop_bounds}"
+                self.logger.info(msg)
+                print(f">>> {msg}")
+
             # Smart cropping (on raw, un-rotated image so crop_bounds match AI analysis)
             cropped_image = image
             crop_size = None
@@ -204,6 +213,44 @@ class ImageProcessor:
             self.logger.debug(f"Could not extract EXIF orientation: {e}")
             return None
 
+    def _transform_crop_bounds_by_exif(
+        self, crop_bounds: Dict, orientation: int, raw_width: int, raw_height: int
+    ) -> Dict:
+        """
+        Transform crop_bounds from EXIF-applied space to raw image space.
+
+        Gemini analyzes images with EXIF applied, returning crop_bounds in that space.
+        We need to transform them back to raw image coordinates before cropping.
+
+        Args:
+            crop_bounds: {x, y, width, height} in EXIF-applied space
+            orientation: EXIF orientation value (1-8)
+            raw_width: raw image width (before EXIF)
+            raw_height: raw image height (before EXIF)
+
+        Returns:
+            Transformed crop_bounds in raw image space
+        """
+        if orientation == 1:
+            # No rotation, use as-is
+            return crop_bounds
+        elif orientation == 6:
+            # Rotate 90 CW: raw (w×h) appears as displayed (h×w)
+            # Transform from displayed (h×w) back to raw (w×h)
+            x, y, w, h = crop_bounds['x'], crop_bounds['y'], crop_bounds['width'], crop_bounds['height']
+            # After 90° CW: (x,y) in raw → (raw_height - y, x) in displayed
+            # Reverse: (x,y) in displayed → (y, raw_width - x) in raw
+            return {
+                'x': y,
+                'y': raw_width - x - w,
+                'width': h,
+                'height': w
+            }
+        else:
+            # Other orientations: return as-is (TODO: implement if needed)
+            self.logger.warning(f"EXIF orientation {orientation} not supported for crop_bounds transform, using as-is")
+            return crop_bounds
+
     def _rotate_by_orientation(
         self, image: Image.Image, orientation: int
     ) -> Image.Image: