The Story Behind the Famous SI Swimsuit Photo of Paige Spiranac on a Motorcycle

The golf influencer was photographed by James Macari in 2018 in Aruba.

Paige Spiranac was photographed by James Macari in Aruba.James Macari/Sports Illustrated

Golf influencer Paige Spiranac made her SI Swimsuit debut in 2018. She was photographed in Aruba by James Macari and she said being featured in the magazine was a “life-changing” moment.

The model, who turned 30 last month, was just 24-years-old at the time of her photo shoot. She was also going through a tough time dealing with tons of cyberbullying and internet trolls. Spiranac has now built a successful social media presence with more than 4.5 million followers across Instagram and Twitter.

“That moment meant so much to me because I just felt so strong and confident and sexy,” she said at the time of her magazine feature. 

Paige Spiranac was photographed by James Macari in Aruba.

James Macari/Sports Illustrated

After the final motorcycle image was captured, editor in chief MJ Day and Spiranac embraced in a hug and the model teared up.

“It was really liberating to be myself and not feel like I’m less [than] someone else or less of a person or that I haven’t accomplished anything or I’m a s---, or all the things that people call me every single day,” she continued candidly. “I’m constantly torn down. It’s been a really frustrating journey. So to finally embrace my sexy side and be confident and love who I am, love the skin I’m in—was a really powerful moment and I’m so thankful.”

Spiranac and Macari had only a few moments to capture a perfect snapshot. He wanted dust flying around to add to the atmosphere of the photo, but it had to be just the right amount to not get in the way of the camera.

Paige Spiranac was photographed by James Macari in Aruba.

James Macari/Sports Illustrated

“The last frame was the last shot right before the dust swallowed us up. She became a professional model then,” Macari explained about the iconic photograph. “She deserved it. She worked hard. I think there’s a couple of epic shots that will last a lifetime for SI.”

Spiranac admitted that she studied other SI Swimsuit models and their behind-the-scenes videos in order to prepare.

“I was almost trying to copy them. MJ basically said, ‘Don’t try to do that. Be yourself and relax into it,’” she added. “I think that was the moment where I stopped comparing myself to them and was just kind of like, ‘O.K., this is my shoot.’”

Below are a few more of our favorite photos from Spiranac’s 2018 photo shoot in Aruba.

James Macari/Sports Illustrated

James Macari/Sports Illustrated

James Macari/Sports Illustrated

James Macari/Sports Illustrated

James Macari/Sports Illustrated

James Macari/Sports Illustrated

James Macari/Sports Illustrated

James Macari/Sports Illustrated

James Macari/Sports Illustrated

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