Travel With Christen Harper to Her SI Swimsuit Photoshoot in Dominica

The three-time brand model took fans behind the scenes of her trip with photographer Amanda Pratt earlier this year.

Christen Harper was photographed by Amanda Pratt in Dominica.Amanda Pratt/Sports Illustrated

Three-time SI Swimsuit model Christen Harper traveled to Dominica to pose for photographer Amanda Pratt for the 2023 issue earlier this year. Luckily for fans, the Swim Search alumna, who was named co-winner of the open casting call in 2021, vlogged some behind the scenes footage of the exciting excursion.

Harper began the video the evening before her flight and explained what she packed, including pajamas, workout clothes, shoes, hats, sunscreen and more.

“I’m gonna bring you guys along as I travel to Dominica for the first SI shoot of 2023,” she said while petting her dog. “Sorry, Quincy, you have to stay here.”

The 30-year-old also had another special addition to her suitcase: two bikinis she designed with her BFF, B Swim founder Elizabeth Turner. The Southern California native had the opportunity to wear the swirly “Dune” print during her photoshoot and it was a totally “surreal” moment.

“This is one of my favorite patterns and we use gold details. [It’s] very adjustable. It’s cute. It’s brown. It’s neutral,” she explained. “And [it has] a multi-way top. You can wear it a bunch of different ways. We love her.”

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A post shared by Christen Harper (@christenharper)

The 2022 co-Rookie of the Year showed off one more orange-and-yellow tie-dye printed two-piece.

“This is like the suit I would wear if I was in Dominica,” Harper said. “It’s called Sunseeker because we are always looking for a sunny day. It’s a fun little front-tie top.”

The Michigan resident added that the best part is that each of the suits in the collection also has matching mesh sets, so you can throw it on as a cover-up and go to the beach club or even wear it out.

“It just feels so crazy to work on something for so long—probably since last March. Just finally seeing the samples in person and after so much trial and error, is just like so amazing,” Harper gushed. “I can’t wait to bring these and hopefully jump in the water with them.”

Harper, who is engaged to Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff, admitted that she always feels like she is forgetting something before a trip. She made sure all her necessary bases—including snacks, Benadryl and bug spray—were covered.

“I genuinely don’t know how I’m gonna sleep. I’m so excited. I wish I could just leave right this second, but I get picked up at three in the morning,” she continued before getting in bed.

Harper included some snippets of herself in the morning and at the airport eating her favorite Oh Snap! pickle bites snack before getting on the plane. She finished the video with a montage of her gorgeous hotel room and an even more breathtaking outdoor view in Dominica.

Check out Harper’s 2023 gallery here.

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A post shared by Christen Harper (@christenharper)

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