Melissa Wood-Tepperberg’s Rookie SI Swim Photoshoot Featured an Incredible Natural Phenomenon

The workout and wellness leader posed for this year’s issue in Dominica.

Cara O’Bleness | Nov 5, 2023

Melissa Wood-Tepperberg was photographed by Yu Tsai in Dominica.

Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated

Melissa Wood-Tepperberg described her rookie SI Swimsuit photoshoot as “surreal” and “amazing,” which just so happen to be the same words that come to mind when we review the resulting images from her feature with Yu Tsai in Dominica.

The 40-year-old workout and wellness leader traveled to the Caribbean country for her feature, which was styled to embrace Mother Nature. Wood-Tepperberg donned lots of natural texture while in front of the camera, from sea sponge to seashells.

While so many of the bikinis and one-pieces she wore on set were incredible, a colorful floral bikini she modeled by Ema Savahl Couture was at the top of our list—not only because of the vibrant and bold swimwear, but because the photographs Yu Tsai captured of the MWH founder in the suit also featured a glorious beachside rainbow.

“Picture this: it’s towards the end of the day after shooting what I believe was 12 incredible looks overall and I was still trying to stop and take it all in…AND then I looked up and there was a freaking a rainbow. A real life rainbow (and I was in a rainbow colored suit)!!! 🌈 I ran to get the shot (@yutsai88 you are the BEST) and here’s the magic that happened,” Wood-Tepperberg reflected on the incredible moment on Instagram in May. “A rainbow is often a sign of hope, the beauty after the storm, and good fortune at the end of it all. Here’s a constant reminder to Never Stop Believing. The Beauty on the other side is so worth all the hard work that goes into making your dreams a living breathing reality.”

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Check out the incredible captures, and a few additional snaps of Wood-Tepperberg in the Ema Savahl Couture bikini, below.

Melissa Wood-Tepperberg was photographed by Yu Tsai in Dominica. Swimsuit by Ema Savahl Couture.

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Published Nov 5, 2023

CARA O’BLENESS

Cara is a trending news writer/editor for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit. A passionate writer and editor with more than 10 years of experience in print and online media, she loves storytelling and believes that words have the power to change the world. Prior to joining the team, Cara worked as a writer and editor across a number of content verticals, including food, lifestyle, health and wellness, and small business and entrepreneurship. In her free time, Cara loves reading, spending time with her family and making her way through Michigan’s many microbreweries. She is a graduate of Michigan State University's School of Journalism.