Swim Stories

"We make it look easy but it's not. Behind every beautiful picture are countless challenges and mishaps. Believe me, our models are troupers."

— MJ DAY, SI SWIMSUIT EDITOR

SCAN PHOTO FOR VIDEO

I'll never forget having to lie on a raft on the Li River with a local fisherman sitting behind me. My butt was literally in his face. Poor guy probably didn't know what hit him.

— Jessica Gomes | Asia

When we were shooting with flamenco dancers in Spain, the audience that had gathered would scream and clap after every dance. I was really moved by the experience. Since the shoot I haven't stopped dancing.

— Ariel Meredith | Europe

For our very first shot in Easter Island I was on a lava rock with giant waves crashing that felt like little razor blades. I've never been so cold in my life. When I got out of the water there were 20 stinging slices on my body. I took a bath that night and wasn't able to use soap.

— Chrissy Teigen | South America

I'm from West Africa. I never dreamed it could be as cold as it was in Namibia. We were up at 6 a.m. to shoot and you could literally see your breath when you spoke. It was 20º. But when I saw the beautiful backdrop, I didn't feel the chill anymore.