We’re Still Obsessed With These Vibrant Swimsuit Photos of Damaris Lewis in Turkey

The three-time SI Swimsuit model made her debut in 2009.

Damaris Lewis was photographed byYu Tsai inCappadocia, Turkey.Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated

If Damaris Lewis hadn’t been discovered while performing with her dance company as a child, the 33-year-old probably would have pursued the pastime professionally.

She said as much on the set of her Sports Illustrated Swimsuit debut in 2009. According to the Brooklyn native, dance would have been her occupation if not for modeling. But thank goodness she was discovered and modeling was the path she chose to pursue—if not, the SI Swimsuit team wouldn’t have had the pleasure of working with her for three consecutive years.

That 2009 trip to Cappadocia, Turkey, was the start of her SI Swimsuit career, and a good one at that. Lewis was positively beaming while on set, prepping to pose for her stunning series of photos. “I’m so happy, I don’t even know what to say,” she noted of the experience.

Among other things, the trip included a handful of snapshots with a donkey, adventures through the red rock caves of the region and a trip in a hot air balloon. Plus, the destination was utterly idyllic. Lewis couldn’t contain her praise for the destination. “It’s amazing, it’s so beautiful,” she said while on set.

The scenery wasn’t the only thing that made her photo shoot more than memorable. The model was also just totally in her element in front of photographer Yu Tsai’s lens—and it showed.

Below are a few of the photos from her first feature in the annual magazine.

Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated

Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated

Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated

Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated

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