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Ashley Graham reflects on her first photo shoot with SI Swimsuit

Think cover model Ashley Graham loves an intricate, conservative one piece? WRONG!

'Itty bitty bikinis are my favorite...The smaller the bikini, the better.' 

In an intimate moment with the 2016 SI Swimsuit rookie, Ashley reflected on her first photo shoot with our magazine and the obstacles she faced on set. From a wind machine dying to battling some slippery rocks, there was no hurdle too high for the Nebraska native to overcome.  

• Get to know SI Swimsuit 2016 Cover Model Ashley Graham!

And what does the breakout star think of her place on the pages and cover of SI Swimsuit? "I thought it was a huge risk that SI would put a girl my size on the pages," Ashley said. "For me that was already such a big deal. But SI is going to put a girl my size on the cover? That's revolutionary."

In the words of our own MJ Day: "She’s a champion for all women. There’s no denying that Ashley Graham brings something different to the table. It’s exciting to meet someone who can totally handle this moment, take it, and amplify it, all because of who she is and how she celebrates herself." 

BONUS: See all of Ashley's amazing photos from SI Swimsuit 2016!

Ashley Graham

Ashley Graham 2016 web X160011_TK6_0105-rawWMFinal1920.jpg

Ashley Graham was photographed by James Macari in Turks & Caicos. Swimsuit by Swimsuitsforall.

Ashley Graham

Ashley Graham 2016 web X160011_TK6_3412-rawWMFinal1920.jpg

Ashley Graham was photographed by James Macari in Turks & Caicos. Swimsuit by Nike.

Ashley Graham

Ashley Graham 2016 web X160011_TK6_4157-rawWMFinal1920.jpg

Ashley Graham was photographed by James Macari in Turks & Caicos. Swimsuit by Kenneth Cole Swimwear.

Ashley Graham

Ashley Graham 2016 web X160011_TK6_4051-rawWMFinal1920.jpg

Ashley Graham was photographed by James Macari in Turks & Caicos. Swimsuit by Bruna Malcuelli.

Ashley Graham

Ashley Graham 2016 web X160011_TK6_2085-rawWMFinal1920.jpg

Ashley Graham was photographed by James Macari in Turks & Caicos. Swimsuit by BECCA By Rebecca Virtue.

Ashley Graham

Ashley Graham 2016 web X160011_TK6_2581-rawWMFinal1920.jpg

Ashley Graham was photographed by James Macari in Turks & Caicos. Swimsuit by Trunkettes.

Ashley Graham

x160011_tk6_3671-rawwmfinal1920.jpg

Ashley Graham was photographed by James Macari in Turks & Caicos. Swimsuit by Freya Lingerie.

Ashley Graham

Ashley Graham 2016 web X160011_TK6_3072-rawWMFinal1920.jpg

Ashley Graham was photographed by James Macari in Turks & Caicos. Swimsuit by Eugenia Kim.

Ashley Graham

Ashley Graham 2016 web X160011_TK6_0432-rawWMFinal1920.jpg

Ashley Graham was photographed by James Macari in Turks & Caicos. Swimsuit by Swimsuitsforall.

Ashley Graham

Ashley Graham 2016 web X160011_TK6_0613-rawWMFinal1920.jpg

Ashley Graham was photographed by James Macari in Turks & Caicos. Swimsuit by Trunkettes.

Ashley Graham

Ashley Graham 2016 web X160011_TK6_3939-rawWMFinal1920.jpg

Ashley Graham was photographed by James Macari in Turks & Caicos. Swimsuit by Bruna Malcuelli.

Ashley Graham

Ashley Graham 2016 web X160011_TK6_4348-rawWMFinal1920.jpg

Ashley Graham was photographed by James Macari in Turks & Caicos. Swimsuit by Kenneth Cole Swimwear.

Ashley Graham

Ashley Graham 2016 web X160011_TK6_1354-rawWMFinal1920.jpg

Ashley Graham was photographed by James Macari in Turks & Caicos. Swimsuit by Swimsuitsforall.

Ashley Graham

x160011_tk6_2848-rawwmfinal1920.jpg

Ashley Graham was photographed by James Macari in Turks & Caicos. Swimsuit by JAG.

Ashley Graham

Ashley Graham 2016 web X160011_TK6_1036-rawWMFinal1920.jpg

Ashley Graham was photographed by James Macari in Turks & Caicos. Swimsuit by Lane Bryant.

Ashley Graham

Ashley Graham 2016 web X160011_TK6_3291-rawWMFinal1920.jpg

Ashley Graham was photographed by James Macari in Turks & Caicos. Swimsuit by Nike.

Ashley Graham

Ashley Graham 2016 web X160011_TK6_0013-rawWMFinal1920.jpg

Ashley Graham was photographed by James Macari in Turks & Caicos. Swimsuit by Swimsuitsforall.

Ashley Graham

Ashley Graham 2016 web X160011_TK6_1925-rawWMFinal1920.jpg

Ashley Graham was photographed by James Macari in Turks & Caicos. Swimsuit by Robyn Lawley.

Ashley Graham

x160011_tk6_1258-rawwmfinal1920.jpg

Ashley Graham was photographed by James Macari in Turks & Caicos. Swimsuit by Swimsuitsforall.

Ashley Graham

Ashley Graham 2016 web X160011_TK6_3927-rawWMFinal1920.jpg

Ashley Graham was photographed by James Macari in Turks & Caicos. Swimsuit by Bruna Malcuelli.

Ashley Graham

Ashley Graham 2016 web X160011_TK6_2915-rawWMFinal1920.jpg

Ashley Graham was photographed by James Macari in Turks & Caicos. Swimsuit by JAG.

Ashley Graham

Ashley Graham 2016 web X160011_TK6_1051-rawWMFinal1920.jpg

Ashley Graham was photographed by James Macari in Turks & Caicos. Swimsuit by Lane Bryant.

Ashley Graham

Ashley Graham 2016 web X160011_TK6_2474-rawWMFinal1920.jpg

Ashley Graham was photographed by James Macari in Turks & Caicos. Swimsuit by Trunkettes.

Ashley Graham

Ashley Graham 2016 web X160011_TK6_0636-rawWMFinal1920.jpg

Ashley Graham was photographed by James Macari in Turks & Caicos. Swimsuit by Trunkettes.

Ashley Graham

Ashley Graham 2016 web X160011_TK6_3513-rawWMFinal1920.jpg

Ashley Graham was photographed by James Macari in Turks & Caicos. Swimsuit by Freya Lingerie.

Ashley Graham

Ashley Graham 2016 web X160011_TK6_0110-rawWMFinal1920.jpg

Ashley Graham was photographed by James Macari in Turks & Caicos. Swimsuit by Swimsuitsforall.

Ashley Graham

Ashley Graham 2016 web X160011_TK6_4167-rawWMFinal1920.jpg

Ashley Graham was photographed by James Macari in Turks & Caicos. Swimsuit by Kenneth Cole Swimwear.

Ashley Graham

Ashley Graham 2016 premium X160011_TK6_1050-rawPfinal1920.jpg

Ashley Graham was photographed by James Macari in Turks & Caicos. Swimsuit by Lane Bryant.

Ashley Graham

Ashley Graham 2016 premium X160011_TK6_3821-rawPfinal1920.jpg

Ashley Graham was photographed by James Macari in Turks & Caicos. Swimsuit by Trunkettes.

Ashley Graham

Ashley Graham 2016 premium X160011_TK6_1966-rawPfinal1920.jpg

Ashley Graham was photographed by James Macari in Turks & Caicos. Swimsuit by Robyn Lawley.

Ashley Graham

Ashley Graham 2016 premium X160011_TK6_0357-rawPfinal1920.jpg

Ashley Graham was photographed by James Macari in Turks & Caicos. Swimsuit by Swimsuitsforall.

Ashley Graham

X160011_TK6_1005-rawPfinal1920.jpg

Ashley Graham was photographed by James Macari in Turks & Caicos. Swimsuit by Trunkettes.

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