We recently connected with Anastasia Filip and have shared our conversation below.

Anastasia, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Do you take vacations? Why or why not?

This is such a great question — and honestly, one that hits close to home. I know so many entrepreneurs and freelancers who struggle with this, and I’m absolutely no exception. I mean, let’s be real — most of us left our 9-to-5 jobs to escape the office grind, only to end up working 24/7 instead!

When you run your own business, especially as a creative or a solopreneur, it can feel nearly impossible to draw a clear line between work and rest. You feel personally responsible for everything — your income, your clients, the success of your brand — and that kind of pressure often comes with a constant sense of urgency, anxiety about unfinished tasks, and even guilt when you try to rest while deadlines are looming.

At one point, I realized that all this hustle was starting to affect my relationship, my health, and my general well-being. That was a wake-up call for me. I’m still working on building a better work-life balance — especially since I recently moved to the U.S. and had to start building everything from scratch, which takes a huge amount of time and energy.

But I’ve discovered a few things that have genuinely helped, and maybe they’ll help others too:

1. Sign up for something that requires commitment.
Whether it’s a gym membership, dance classes, tennis lessons — it doesn’t matter what it is, as long as it creates structure and accountability. When you’re just trying to squeeze in a quick jog around the block or hit your apartment gym, it’s easy to convince yourself you don’t have time. But when you’ve paid for a class or have a coach waiting for you, it’s much harder to skip. And it forces you to step away from work, move your body, and reset your mind — which is so necessary.

2. Schedule rest and connection like you schedule meetings.
One thing that works for me is planning time with loved ones in advance — and actually putting it in my calendar. For example, my partner and I have a standing date night every Thursday, and that time is non-negotiable. Or I’ll plan a weekend visit to see family every couple of months. These routines help build boundaries between work and life and remind me that rest and connection are part of success, not distractions from it.

3. Learn to delegate.
This one is tough, especially for people like me who love being in control and knowing every little thing is done just right. But the truth is, you can’t grow (or rest!) if you’re trying to do everything yourself. Learning to delegate small tasks, trusting others, and training people to help you — is such an important step. It frees up your time and energy for what actually needs your unique attention. Delegating is a skill, and like all skills, it gets easier the more you practice.

4. Plan vacations early and mentally prepare.
When I block off time in my calendar for a longer trip, I’m way less likely to overbook myself or agree to projects during that time. I also try to get my work done before the trip — though sometimes, let’s be honest, I still bring editing with me. But even then, I set clear limits: I’ll work for an hour or two early in the day, then close my laptop and enjoy the rest of the day fully. Turning off notifications and being present is hard — especially for workaholics like me — but it makes a huge difference.

And lastly, a gentle reminder I try to give myself often: you are your business’s most valuable asset. Work will always be there, but you only have one body, one mind, and one life. A well-rested, inspired, and emotionally recharged you will always produce better work than a burnt-out version running on empty.

Anastasia, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m a wedding and elopement photographer with a deep love for timeless elegance, honest storytelling, and the kind of imagery that feels as emotional as the day itself. I’m originally from Ukraine and recently relocated to the U.S.

My journey into wedding photography wasn’t something I planned from the start — it unfolded naturally. I started as a lifestyle and product photographer, working with restaurants and fashion brands, and over time I realized that what truly lit me up were the moments that held real emotion, real connection. I photographed my first wedding in 2021 and everything clicked — the emotions, the chaos, the beauty, the responsibility, the trust. Since then, I’ve been drawn to couples who value intentionality, authenticity, and aesthetics that are elevated but never overdone.

My approach blends editorial style with genuine storytelling. I’m not just there to document pretty details (though I absolutely love those) — I’m there to create images that feel like the moment. I guide my couples when needed, but I also give them space to be fully present with each other. I want their gallery to look beautiful, of course, but also to remind them how the day felt — the nerves, the joy, the quiet in-between moments. Many of my clients come to me because they want more than just posed portraits — they want someone who sees them, who understands how to tell their story with elegance and emotion.

I offer full-day wedding coverage, elopement packages, destination photography, and tailored experiences for couples who might be planning something a little less traditional. What sets me apart is not just the final gallery but the whole experience — from the first call to the way I support my clients throughout the process. I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all. I listen, I adapt, I care deeply.

What I’m most proud of is the trust my clients place in me. It’s a huge responsibility to be invited into one of the most intimate days in someone’s life — and I don’t take that lightly. I’ve cried behind the camera more than once, and to me, that’s a sign I’m in the right place. My goal is not just to take beautiful photos, but to create a calm, inspiring, emotionally safe space where people can be themselves — and that’s when the magic really happens.

Whether I’m photographing an elegant city wedding, a lakeside elopement, or a celebration across the ocean, I want people to know this: I care about your story. I care about how your day feels. And I will work with all my heart to capture that with honesty, beauty, and intention.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Oh yes! Like many others, my big pivot came during COVID. At the time, I was working as a travel agent — helping people plan their dream vacations. But when the world shut down, so did my entire career. It felt like everything I’d built had suddenly disappeared, and for a while, I was completely lost.
So I asked myself: what else do I love? And the first answer was obvious — photography.
I got my first camera when I was 12. I went to photography and editing courses, and by the time I was 14, I had joined the media team at my local church, where I served for nearly a decade. That experience gave me the foundation for everything I know now — but for some reason, I never thought photography could be a “real” job. I believed I had to find something “serious.”
COVID gave me that push. I decided to give photography a real shot — and within a few months, I was almost fully booked. It turns out, all I needed was to start. What felt like the end of one path became the beginning of something so much more fulfilling. I’m so grateful for where that pivot led me.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding part of being an artist is seeing the emotional impact my work has on my clients. There’s something incredibly powerful about capturing moments that matter — moments that might otherwise fade with time — and turning them into something tangible and lasting. When I deliver a gallery and get a message from a couple saying they cried looking through their photos, or that I captured exactly how the day felt — that’s everything to me.

Those moments of connection and gratitude remind me why I love what I do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.siaphoto.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sia.weddings_