Swimsuit

4 Pics of Ashley Byrd From Her Dream-Fulfilling Photoshoot in the Dominican Republic

The model was a Swim Search finalist last year.

Martha Zaytoun

Ashley Byrd poses in a green and pink one-piece in front of the vibrant blue ocean.

Ashley Byrd was photographed by Yu Tsai in the Dominican Republic.

Though a long-time dream, Ashley Byrd hasn’t always worked as a model. With a criminal justice degree, she has explored several different career paths in the past several years. But, with her 2022 SI Swimsuit feature in the Dominican Republic, Byrd’s full-time modeling career began to materialize.

She was a finalist for last year’s open casting call, which aspiring talent the chance to grace the pages of the issue. As such, Byrd accompanied photographer Yu Tsai to the beaches of the Caribbean country for her feature.

“It took me years to submit my @si_swimsuit casting video because I didn’t believe in myself, NOW I’m blessed to be in the magazine alongside so many other incredible women,” she wrote in an Instagram caption at the time. “P.S…Don’t let self doubt get in the way of your dreams. You’ll never know what you can do if you don’t go for it 💚,” she urged her followers, reflecting on her decision to follow her dreams and finally pursue modeling full time.

The former college basketball player’s decision to do just that—follow her dreams—was a fruitful one. It landed her in the pages of the 2022 SI Swimsuit Issue and jumpstarted a career that has since seen her in several brand campaigns for makeup and clothing companies alike. And it all took off with her fabulous magazine feature in the Dominican Republic last year.

Here are a few incredible snaps from the trip.

Ashley Byrd poses with her hand on her head in white bikini top with colorful beaded straps.

Ashley Byrd was photographed by Yu Tsai in Dominican Republic. Swimsuit by Monica Hansen Beachwear.

Ashley Byrd stands on the sand in white bikini with colorful beaded straps.

Ashley Byrd was photographed by Yu Tsai in Dominican Republic. Swimsuit by Monica Hansen Beachwear.

Ashley Byrd kneels on the beach in a yellow bikini with a front cut-out.

Ashley Byrd was photographed by Yu Tsai in Dominican Republic. Swimsuit by JMP The Label.

Ashley Byrd lays in the shallow water in a red ruched bikini set.

Ashley Byrd was photographed by Yu Tsai in Dominican Republic. Swimsuit by Ark Swimwear.

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Martha Zaytoun
MARTHA ZAYTOUN

Martha Zaytoun is a writer on the Lifestyle and Trending News team for SI Swimsuit. Before joining SI Swimsuit in 2023, she worked on the editorial board of the University of Notre Dame’s student magazine and on the editorial team at Chapel Hill, Durham and Chatham Magazines in North Carolina. When not working, Zaytoun loves to watercolor and oil paint, run and water ski. She is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and a huge Fighting Irish fan.

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