Today we’d like to introduce you to Anastasiia Polyakov.
Hi Anastasiia, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
We are Alex & Anastasiia, a married couple behind So Tender Is Humanity.
We officially started about 10 years ago, though Alex was assisting wedding photographers back in high school, so photography has been part of our lives for a long time. We’ve always loved the camera, but weddings felt different right away. There’s something electric about them — the pressure, tight timelines, nerves, overwhelming joy, loud families, quiet intimate moments, tears, chaos. It’s everything all at once.
The first few years weren’t glamorous. We were both working two full-time jobs while building the business on the side. It took time to establish ourselves. About five years ago, we were finally able to go full-time — which felt huge.
In the beginning, we did what most people do. We followed the trends. The cookie-cutter shot lists. “This is how wedding photos should look” formula. But over time we realized it didn’t feel like us. And we also realized there were couples out there who didn’t want traditional or staged weddings and photos — they wanted something real, a little unconventional, more authentic.
Once we found our voice and leaned into it fully, everything changed. Now we attract couples who want to have fun, who trust us, who care about the experience as much as the photos. And our job is simple: make sure everyone feels comfortable, present, and joyful. When that happens, the photos take care of themselves.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not at all — and I think anyone who says it has been is either very lucky or not telling the whole truth.
We absolutely love photography and connecting with people. That part comes naturally. What doesn’t come naturally is selling ourselves. Marketing, pitching, talking about why we’re “different” — that’s a whole other skill set. We’ve always tried to stay authentic instead of polished or salesy, and I think that honesty is what ends up resonating with the right couples.
There have been very real challenges. Covid hit the wedding industry hard. Taxes are confusing and stressful. Running a business means wearing ten hats at once — photographer, editor, accountant, marketer, therapist, timeline coordinator. Some seasons are overwhelmingly busy and exhausting, and others are painfully slow and make you question everything. Sustainability is something we’re still actively working toward. We’ve come a long way, but we’re always refining how to make this work long-term without burning out.
Another big challenge is cultural. The wedding industry is full of expectations. Couples are constantly told what they should do — by ads, Pinterest trends, styled shoots, planners, family members, traditions. There’s a very strong “this is what a wedding is supposed to look like” narrative.
Part of our job is gently rebelling against that. We remind couples they can have a wedding that feels like them — not a checklist, not a production for other people. That sometimes means pushing against industry standards.
It hasn’t been smooth. But we wouldn’t change it for the world.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
We’re wedding photographers, but more than that, we create space for people to actually experience their wedding day instead of performing it.
We specialize in documentary-style photography with an artistic edge. Real moments over stiff poses. Movement over perfection and trends. We’re known for capturing the in-between — the chaos, the nerves, the way someone squeezes a hand a little tighter before walking down the aisle. The stuff you can’t fake.
We’re also very intentional about the energy we bring. Weddings can be overwhelming — timelines, family dynamics, expectations. We stay calm, grounded, and fun. Our job is to protect the vibe as much as the photos. When people feel safe and relaxed, everything looks better.
What we’re most proud of isn’t just the images — though we’re incredibly proud of the body of work we’ve built over the past decade. It’s the kind of couples we attract now. People who want to laugh out loud, cry without worrying about ruining their makeup, dance awkwardly, break traditions, or create their own. That trust means everything.
Our job is to make the wedding feel less of a production and more a real, honest, joyful, messy, beautiful day. And we’ll die on that hill.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Kindness goes a long way.
You never really know what someone is carrying. Weddings taught us that in a very real way. On the happiest day of someone’s life, there can still be nerves, family tension, grief for someone who isn’t there, pressure to make everything perfect. Joy and sadness coexist together all the time.
We’ve learned to really see people. To give them space to be emotional, awkward, excited, overwhelmed — whatever they’re feeling — without judgment. And to allow ourselves to be human too.
Everyone has something they care deeply about but maybe don’t know how to explain. Everyone is climbing some invisible mountain.
When we treat people with kindness and compassion, the work feels better and the connections feel real.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sotenderishumanity.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sotenderishumanity
