Swimsuit

7 Incredibly Idyllic Photos of the Fabulous Emily DiDonato Out West

The model posed among the wide open spaces of Wyoming for her fifth SI Swimsuit feature.

Martha Zaytoun

Emily DiDonato poses in front of a wooden cabin wearing a red swimsuit and a tan cowgirl hat.

Emily DiDonato was photographed by Ruven Afanador in Saratoga, Wyo.

When Emily DiDonato stepped on set for her 2020 SI Swimsuit photoshoot in Saratoga, Wyo., it was far from her first rodeo. The American model made her debut with the issue in 2013, which she followed up with three consecutive features.

Her trip to Wyoming was her fifth feature in the magazine, but her first in a handful of years. In the interim, she married her husband, Kyle Peterson, with whom she now has two children.

While on set for her feature out West, the model reflected on her journey with the issue, admitting to a lack of confidence when she first started out. But “with age, I feel more confident,” she remarked while on the trip. 

Part of her newfound self-assurance was due in part to her adventurous mentality. “I constantly try to force myself to try new things and push myself out of my comfort zone,” she explained. “That’s what makes life interesting.”

Moreover, DiDonato expressed an understanding that honesty on her social media platforms—a place for sharing her “narrative” and “tak[ing] control of what [she] wants to say to [her] audience”—has been an important part of that journey. As she has pushed herself outside her comfort zone, DiDonato has openly shared her struggles and things she has gone through. “I try to act as a role model, or to help people in that way,” she said of her honesty on her platform.

In addition to her thoughtful reflections, the model posed for some incredibly beautiful and idyllic photos. Here are some of our favorites.

Emily DiDonato leans against a wooden fence in the fields of Wyoming, wearing a black bikini, denim cut-off shorts and a snakeskin cowgirl hat.
Emily DiDonato sits in a wooden chair at a table holding a white cup. She is wearing a white see-through cropped shirt, tan bikini bottoms and brown boots.
Emily DiDonato leans against a wooden cabin, wearing a black one-piece with cut-outs and a brown suede button down around her arms.
Emily DiDonato sits on an animal skin on a wooden porch, wearing a blush pink cropped top, black high-waisted bikini bottoms and knee-high patent leather cowgirl boots.
Emily DiDonato walks down a Wyoming road wearing a brown one-piece, jacket, fringe boots and a brown hat. She holds the leash of the black, brown and white dog walking beside her.
Emily DiDonato leans against a bale of hay, wearing black string bikini bottoms, a red high-neck crop top and a black cowgirl hat.
Emily DiDonato leans against a wooden chest wearing a tan string bikini set.

Now through Nov. 1, 100% of SI Swimsuit’s portion of proceeds from cover prints purchased here will be donated to the Maui Strong Fund, which is helping to support the people and places of Maui affected by the recent wildfires.

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Martha Zaytoun

MARTHA ZAYTOUN

Martha Zaytoun is a Lifestyle & Trending News writer for SI Swimsuit. Before joining the team, Martha 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, Martha loves to watercolor and oil paint, run or water ski. She is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and a huge Fighting Irish fan.