The Journey That Placed Me Here
While I’ve been more recognized for my work with National Geographic, showing wild natural places, I’ve also used photography to explore and highlight feminine strength, presence, and beauty from the very beginning. Whether in fine art, fashion, or commercial campaigns, I’ve focused on creating images that feel honest and empowering. I’ve had the privilege of working at the highest levels of the industry, and every project, whether it was a remote expedition or a fashion shoot, has shaped the way I see and tell stories.
When Sports Illustrated asked me to shoot this project, it wasn’t just another assignment. It was validation, an acknowledgment that the way I see the world resonates with others. This wasn’t a natural step forward; it was recognition of years of hard work, of trusting my instincts, and of seeing beauty in places where others might not look.
The Setting: The Boca Raton
The shoot took place at The Boca Raton, a historic resort with stunning Mediterranean Revival architecture. I approached it the way I would a natural landscape, letting the light, lines, and textures of the structure become part of the composition. The architecture wasn’t just a backdrop—it was an active participant in the story, a way to connect the models and the environment.
The Opportunity and the Challenge
This shoot was more complex than I expected. Balancing creative direction, production logistics, and the expectations of a major brand like Sports Illustrated required focus and adaptability. There were moments when I questioned whether I could meet the challenge. But those moments were exactly what made the experience so rewarding.
“Had I known how hard it would be, I might not have been as confident I could do it. But had I not done it, I may not have known that I was as capable as I was.”
Connecting People to Place
What made this shoot feel true to me was the intention behind it. The team wanted images that connected models, including athletes and Olympians, to the environment—images that highlighted strength, presence, and authenticity. That has always been at the core of my work: creating space for real, unforced expression in front of the lens, and revealing the natural beauty of both the person and the setting.
A Light Touch with Tools
I used a drone for a few shots where it helped reveal the scale of the scene, and an underwater housing for moments that called for a more immersive view. But the focus was always on letting the model and environment interact naturally, with tools supporting the story rather than becoming the story.
What This Experience Meant to Me
This project brought together everything I’ve built my career on—connection, composition, light, and storytelling. Swimwear photography isn’t new to me. It’s been part of a larger journey of highlighting human presence and beauty in a way that feels powerful, subtle, and real.
Working with Sports Illustrated wasn’t about progression. It was about acknowledgment. It was about realizing that the way I see the world—the interplay of light, landscape, and strength—has meaning not just to me, but to others. And that’s something I’ll carry forward in every frame I shoot.
Individual features:
Toni Breidinger – NASCAR driver and model.
View her SI Swimsuit featureSports Illustrated Swimsuit+6Sports Illustrated Swimsuit+6Sports Illustrated Swimsuit+6Anna Hall – Olympic heptathlete.
View her SI Swimsuit featurePeople.com+8Sports Illustrated Swimsuit+8New York Post+8Ali Truwit – Paralympic swimmer.
View her SI Swimsuit featurePeople.com+7Sports Illustrated Swimsuit+7Sports Illustrated Swimsuit+7Cameron Brink – WNBA star.
View her SI Swimsuit featureCaroline Marks – Olympic surfer.
View her SI Swimsuit featureSports Illustrated Swimsuit+23Sports Illustrated Swimsuit+23Sports Illustrated Swimsuit+23Eileen Gu – Olympic freestyle skier.
View her SI Swimsuit featureSports Illustrated Swimsuit+10Page Six+10Sports Illustrated Swimsuit+10Gabby Thomas – Olympic sprinter.
View her SI Swimsuit featurePage SixJordan Chiles – Olympic gymnast.
View her SI Swimsuit featureNew York PostNelly Korda – World No. 1 golfer.
View her SI Swimsuit featureNew York Post+2Sports Illustrated Swimsuit+2New York Post+2Suni Lee – Olympic gymnast.
View her SI Swimsuit feature