Daily Inspiration: Meet Anastasiia Lisenko

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anastasiia Lisenko

Hi Anastasiia, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Hi, Voyage LA! My name is Anastasiia, and I’m a photographer and director from Ukraine, passionate about storytelling through visuals. I discovered my love for photography at age 15, creating shoots with friends in my small hometown and drawing inspiration from films. Over time, this passion grew into a career working with Ukrainian artists and brands, creating photo and video campaigns, and directing music videos in Kyiv.

When the war in Ukraine began, I moved to the United States to be with my family and had to start over. While it was challenging, through persistence and creativity, I rebuilt my career, collaborating with brands and publications, and continuing to develop my unique cinematic style. Today, I work between New York and Los Angeles, focusing on creating visuals that connect and inspire.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t been a smooth road, but every challenge has shaped me into the creative I am today. Moving to the United States after the war in Ukraine began was one of the most significant hurdles I’ve faced. Starting over in a new country, with a different culture, language, and industry, was overwhelming at first. Building a career from scratch required persistence and resilience, especially in such a competitive market.

In the early days, I reached out to people on social media and offered creative shoots to showcase my vision. It was difficult to regain the confidence I once had in Ukraine, where I had established myself in the industry. Adjusting to a new environment, balancing the stress of personal and global challenges, and navigating an unfamiliar creative space pushed me to adapt quickly.

Overcoming these struggles taught me that creativity thrives under pressure. The lessons I learned through these obstacles helped me not only build a career but also redefine my style and strengthen my voice as a photographer and director.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I believe what sets me apart is my unwavering commitment to staying true to my vision and creative instincts. While I remain aware of trends and current concepts, my focus has always been on presenting the world through the lens of my own perspective. For me, creative freedom and authenticity are far more important than simply following what’s popular or expected.

I take pride in choosing projects and collaborations that align with my values and artistic principles, rather than being swayed solely by external recognition or trends. It’s not about how influential a client or concept may seem—it’s about whether the collaboration resonates with my creative voice.

I’m incredibly grateful that this approach has brought me clients who trust me to fully express my ideas, allowing me to create meaningful and impactful work. This trust and freedom inspire me to continue pushing boundaries and sharing stories that feel deeply personal yet universally relatable.

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
One of the biggest risks I’ve taken in my career was stepping away from a successful wedding event business to fully pursue my true passion—photography. As I mentioned, I began my journey as a photographer at 15, but this path was interrupted when my camera broke at 18. Without the resources to replace it, I quickly transitioned into the wedding industry, focusing on event decor, floral arrangements, and design. Over the next five years, I built a thriving and well-recognized wedding event business.

However, my passion for photography never faded, and eventually, I made the bold decision to leave my wedding business to return to the art that truly inspired me. Closing my business was a difficult decision because it meant stepping away from stability and familiarity. I sold my entire inventory, ended the business, and bought a camera to start fresh. At the time, it felt like a huge leap of faith—walking away from an established reputation in one industry to rebuild my identity as a photographer.

Looking back, I’m so grateful I took that risk. It wasn’t long before I began building a new client base, and soon after, I moved to Kyiv, where my photography career really flourished. That experience taught me that taking risks for something you truly believe in can lead to some of the most rewarding opportunities.

Another ongoing risk in my career has been staying true to my creative vision. I often turn down clients or collaborations that don’t align with my principles or artistic direction, even when it means making financial sacrifices. It’s not always easy, but I’ve learned that prioritizing work I genuinely believe in leads to more meaningful projects and long-term fulfillment. This commitment to my values allows me to create work that feels authentic and resonates deeply with others.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://anastasialisenko.myportfolio.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nastyalisenko
• Other: https://vimeo.com/antonovnaa

Image Credits
1. GRAY CORTON
2. Daniela Slobodianiuk and Kirill Ivannyk
3. Annaly Khamphasouk 
4. Pasha Harulia
5. Helena Lu
6. Yesly Dimate and Tony Ozkan
7. Ryan Destiny and Keith Powers
8. Nancy Schneider