Photographer Dmitry Iskhakov shared with socialbites.ca how he captured actress Yulia Peresild in anticipation of her historic space mission—before she launched toward the stars. The session reveals not just the images, but a moment of creative tension and collaboration that produced something unmistakably alive.
“Working with Yulia Peresild is a real pleasure. Her presence is so authentic and luminous that it immediately fuels inspiration and a sense of fearless experimentation”, Iskhakov explained. “There are moments when photographers push for risks that pay off, yet artists, in my view, are people placed in testing situations. There are well-known angles and familiar looks; stepping just a little to the left or right opens a new, uncertain doorway. It is, in a way, a risk worth taking.”
The photographer noted that this memorable shoot occurred before Peresild’s flight, catching her in a pre-launch phase that carried its own weight and aura. The setting was Star City, a place long steeped in space lore and now a controlled environment where history and daily life intersect. Iskhakov described it as a highly exclusive venue, where the real story of space exploration unfolds in a unique, almost intimate way. He added that his own passion for space made the experience feel personal as well as professional.
Iskhakov developed a distinctive approach for shooting Peresild in a spacesuit. He observed that the suit brought discomfort and heat, which made traditional, calm poses impractical. The process demanded careful preplanning, precise execution, and a rapid pace on site. Filming had to be deliberate yet swift, with each frame crafted to convey clarity and intent while accommodating the challenging conditions. In those tense moments, Peresild’s demeanor proved pivotal. When she arrived at the site—an arrangement centered in a compact office space—the atmosphere shifted. She brought calm, steady energy that helped ease nerves, loosen tensions, and set a collaborative tone. Iskhakov recalled that Peresild’s humor and poise helped everyone relax, making the entire shoot feel almost instantaneous in its success and impact.
The photographer also expressed admiration for Peresild’s character. He described her as a true fighter who consistently maintained composure and determination, never expressing dissatisfaction during their many collaborations. In a lighter moment, Iskhakov admitted that trying on the spacesuit himself clarified for him how demanding a spaceflight must be, even for someone with a deep love for space. Peresild, he concluded, is a genuine heroine whose strength and resolve stood out throughout the experience.
Earlier, Iskhakov had discussed a different meeting, reflecting on a conversation in Cannes with Renata Litvinova, which he described as another notable moment in his career. (Source attribution: socialbites.ca)