A Soyuz MS rocket at Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan
A captivating image of a Soyuz MS rocket at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan was taken just before its launch to the International Space Station in December 2021. This striking photo carries a significant emotional weight for the photographer.
In a surprising turn of events, she was selected as one of eight crew members for the dearMoon project, which aimed to be the first civilian mission to the moon, originally slated for a 2023 launch with a SpaceX rocket. Unfortunately, the mission was later canceled.
On the night of the Soyuz launch, she witnessed an extraordinary view while surrounded by a large crowd. As others began to leave, she lingered to capture the moment before being escorted away by security. “Before firing the shutter, I held my breath and closed my eyes, as I didn’t have a cable release,” she recounts. “The eerie green light from the floodlights mixing with the mist created a surreal atmosphere, and I knew it was a sight I may never see again.”
After capturing two frames, she was ushered onto waiting buses, hoping her photo would turn out well. “Fortunately, it did. The image now holds a bittersweet meaning for me, but when I detach it from my personal story, I still find it a beautiful tribute to human achievement,” she reflects.
She has emerged as one of the 30 finalists in the professional competition at the 2025 Sony World Photography Awards, recognized in the “creative” category for her photo series documenting the mission’s cancellation. The prestigious title of Photographer of the Year will be awarded on April 16.
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