We’re Loving These 9 Throwback Pics From Kamie Crawford’s Rookie Photoshoot

Kamie Crawford was among the ranks of the 2023 SI Swimsuit class, making an appearance in the issue for the second year in a row. In 2022, she made her debut alongside photographer Derek Kettela in St. Croix, a tropical destination in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

On set, Crawford sat down with the SI Swimsuit team to talk all things family and modeling, from her start in the industry to her motivations for working hard.

For the model, confidence hasn’t always been a given, but she has certainly come into her own in adulthood. During childhood, “I was letting other people dictate how I felt about myself all the time,” she admitted on set. ”And going into high school, I finally [decided] no, I’m going to choose how I feel when I wake up every day.”

Her increase in confidence was due, in part, to the encouragement of her mother. But it also came in response to her role as the oldest of six girls, which has demanded a lot of responsibility from Crawford. “I’ve always had it in the back of my mind from both of my parents, ‘your sisters are watching you, you have to set an example, you have to show them the way, you have to show them what being a woman is all about,’” she said.

Of the photoshoot, the former Miss Teen USA had nothing but positive things to say. Her time in St. Croix was “the most incredible experience of [my] life,” she said. “Derek [Kettela] is incredible. He truly gets it. …He makes you feel confident.”

When it came to her different swim looks, picking her favorite was easy. “My favorite look was definitely the gold chain bikini, for sure. That one was insane.”

Below are nine of our absolute favorite photos of the television host in the Caribbean.

Kamie Crawford was photographed by Derek Kettela in St. Croix. Swimsuit by Luli Fama Swimwear. Shirt by Free People. Earrings by Eklexic. Bracelet by Cartier.

Kamie Crawford was photographed by Derek Kettela in St. Croix. Swimsuit by Riot Swim. Earrings by Eklexic. Bracelet by Cartier.

Kamie Crawford was photographed by Derek Kettela in St. Croix. Swimsuit by Tropic of C. Necklaces by Child of Wild and Eklexic.

Kamie Crawford was photographed by Derek Kettela in St. Croix. Swimsuit by BECCA. Earrings by Eklexic.

Kamie Crawford was photographed by Derek Kettela in St. Croix. Swimsuit by HAUS OF PINKLEMONAID. Top by Cotton Citizen. Earrings by Eklexic

Kamie Crawford was photographed by Derek Kettela in St. Croix. Swimsuit by Vitamin A. Earrings by Eklexic. Bracelet by Cartier.

Kamie Crawford was photographed by Derek Kettela in St. Croix. Swimsuit by Thaikila.

Kamie Crawford was photographed by Derek Kettela in St. Croix. Swimsuit by Natalia Fedner. Bracelet by Cartier.

Kamie Crawford was photographed by Derek Kettela in St. Croix. Swimsuit by Thaikila. Earrings Eklexic.

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