Skip to main content
Weddings
This vendor is popular with couples. Start a conversation

About

On WeddingWire since 2017

So Tender Is Humanity is a photography company in Arlington, Virginia, that services the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

In the world where we all are desperately trying to fit in and find our place and purpose,

we often forget how beautifully different we are,

how deeply we can feel,

and how truly connected we are with one another.

***

We are So Tender Is Humanity - wedding photography for the creative soul and the kind spirit.

***

Compassion is our religion, kindness is our language. It goes without saying, but has to be said; we are welcoming to all denominations, orientations, beliefs and life paths. Our hearts are always open to the diversity of minds, amplitude of feelings, and unapologetic vulnerability.

  • Woman-owned

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting price for your wedding photography services?

$3,000

Which of the following are included in the starting price?

2nd Shooter
High-Res Images
Multi. Locations
One Event / Day
Digital Files

What is the price of your most popular wedding package?

$4,500

Which of the following are included in the price of your most popular wedding package?

2nd Shooter
Add'l Hours
Engagement Shoot
High-Res Images
Multi. Locations
One Event / Day
Slideshow
Albums
Digital Files
Prints

What primary photographic style do you identify with?

Contemporary
Natural
Photojournalism
Traditional

What photography services do you offer?

Additional Hours
Destination / Travel
Engagement Shoot
High-Res Images
One Event / Day
Second Shooter
Wedding Portraits

What photography items do you offer?

Albums
Canvas
Digital Files
Flush Mount
Matted Prints
Prints
Proofs
Save the Date
Thank You Cards
illustration question

Any other questions?

Message vendor
5.0 out of 5 rating
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2023 Winner
45 Reviews
  • Quality of service
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Average response time
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Professionalism
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Value
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Flexibility
    5 out of 5 rating
100% Recommended by couples

105 User photos

45 Reviews
J
Jillian P. Married on 10/02/2021
5 out of 5 rating

Highly recommend!

We are so happy we found Alex and Anastasiia to be our wedding photographers! They just might be our favorite vendor and we had a lot of really great vendors. When we first started searching, we discovered this category of documentary style photography and realized this is exactly what we were looking for – a focus on capturing all of the raw emotions and special moments throughout the day rather than a focus on creating and capturing a perfectly composed scene. It’s not that we didn’t want some of the typical family portraits and wedding party poses you often see, or to somehow look great from all the angles, we just wanted a photographer that understood that we put a higher value on the candid shots. And we got two! Alex and Anastasiia understood this balance way better than we did and used their crazy good creativity and sensitivity to capture what was meaningful to us, to align with the miscellaneous aesthetic interests we discussed and practiced during the engagement shoot, and to document the beautiful realities of the day so perfectly. The communication was great. They were super kind, respectful, and patient. They were simultaneously easy-going and professional. We highly recommend and will be reaching back out to them for any future professional photo needs. We’re so grateful to be able to relive the day through the photo gallery forever. Also, by the way we found them on fearlessphotographers.com – an incredibly impressive group that needless to say Alex and Anastasiia can hang with.
Stevan
Stevan T. Married on 07/29/2023
5 out of 5 rating

So happy I found So Tender is Humanity

When I was browsing for a wedding photographer for my private wedding of 4, I was really excited when I found So Tender is Humanity. Looking at their portfolio online, their artistry stood out from the rest to me.

They are such a joy to deal with! Our wedding had two guests and by the end of day, Alex and Anastasiia were just like friends we had invited! We couldn't have asked for a better photographer for our wedding and we highly recommend So Tender is Humanity for yours!





They are wonderful people to deal with and they made us feel at ease in front of the camera. The

Amy
Amy E. Married on 10/30/2022
5 out of 5 rating

Balance of Artistic Creativity and Classic Elegance

I really wanted classic, beautiful portraits to frame for my family and to hang up at home, but I also really wanted some artistic shots - things I would not have taken myself or would not have been able to capture. I loved that Alex was able to do a perfect balance of this for us. I wanted lots of photos of the guests, and he absolutely delivered. There were classic shots, staged but fun shots, staged but really lovely and creative shots, images that he recreated based on my mom and grandmother's wedding photos, candid shots, artistic images, photos of the details I put together for the day...everything I wanted. I really enjoyed the video montage of photos that was put together with music. I could not be happier with these photos, and both bride and groom families adore them as well. I can't recommend So Tender is Humanity enough. While the photographer was a big investment in money (it felt to me), I am truly thrilled with how it turned out.
illustration stars

Are you interested?

Message vendor

Awards

45
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2023 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2020 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2019 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2018 Winner

Real Weddings

Minti & Madhav
20 photos · 10/18/2020
Joanita & Brent
16 photos · 10/03/2020
Zahra & Jim
63 photos · 11/17/2018
Heather & Jake
43 photos · 11/10/2018

Team

Alex Polyakov
Alex Polyakov
Owner/Photographer

ALEX

I was born in Russia but lived in the United States for most of my life. I was a photographer ever since I started forming memories, but it wasn’t until I met Anastasiia I realized that I deserve to fully commit to this passion.

WHAT ALEX LOVES ABOUT ANASTASIIA

When Anastasiia approaches an adventure, she does it with the ferocity of someone leaping from a cliff with no possibility of failure. The promises that she makes are iron clad contracts that are not to be broken. I love the way she looks when she is deep in thought, working hard on something she is passionate about. As if nothing else in the world exists. She also throws the best birthday parties.

Anastasiia Polyakov
Anastasiia Polyakov
Owner/Photographer

ANASTASIIA

I was born in Ukraine and have recently celebrated my 10-year anniversary of coming to the US. I ‘blame’ my bluntness and forceful nature on my culture, which has also taught me to appreciate what I have at any given point. Like the Schuyler sister I am never satisfied, but my restlessness fuels me to never stop exploring.

WHAT ANASTASIIA LOVES ABOUT ALEX

Alex doesn’t judge. He may disagree with you, he may even not like you, but he will never judge. He has this innate ability to relate to people and understand their experiences, and to accept people as they are. He can make friends anywhere. And he is one of the most fearless people I know.

Professional Network & Endorsements

1 Endorsement
Tsouloved Weddings and Events Tsouloved Weddings and Events Wedding Planners

Great working with this duo! As a wedding coordinator I am always hoping to work with pheonomenal vendors, and Polyakov Photography is a phenomenal team! They are absolutely professional, stick to the time but also give flexibility for any hiccups, they will ensure all the portrait shots and creative shots you are seeking will be covered. I recommend this team to anyone looking for a talented duo that is respectful of the schedule and able to be absolutely gracious to everyone they work with. Their photos are absolutely gorgeous, stunning and filled with light. They make everyone around them feel comfortable and relaxed.

Map

So Tender Is Humanity frequently asked questions

So Tender Is Humanity includes the following photography services in the starting price:
  • 2nd Shooter
  • High-Res Images
  • Multi. Locations
  • One Event / Day
  • Digital Files
So Tender Is Humanity includes the following photography services in their most popular wedding package:
  • 2nd Shooter
  • Add'l Hours
  • Engagement Shoot
  • High-Res Images
  • Multi. Locations
  • One Event / Day
  • Slideshow
  • Albums
  • Digital Files
  • Prints
So Tender Is Humanity offers the following photography styles:
  • Contemporary
  • Natural
  • Photojournalism
  • Traditional
So Tender Is Humanity offers the following photography services for weddings:
  • Additional Hours
  • Destination / Travel
  • Engagement Shoot
  • High-Res Images
  • One Event / Day
  • Second Shooter
  • Wedding Portraits
So Tender Is Humanity offers the following photography materials for weddings:
  • Albums
  • Canvas
  • Digital Files
  • Flush Mount
  • Matted Prints
  • Prints
  • Proofs
  • Save the Date
  • Thank You Cards
So Tender Is Humanity is recommended by 100% of couples who have used their services. Their overall rating is 5.0, with the same score awarded for quality of service, flexibility, value, professionalism and average response time.

Other vendors in Washington DC for your wedding

Wedding Vendors

Responds within 24 hours