Honestly, the swimsuit issue isn't just about beachwear anymore. It hasn't been for a long time. When the sports illustrated swimsuit 2024 photos finally dropped to mark the franchise’s 60th anniversary, it felt like a massive cultural collision of the "old guard" and the new world. You had legends like Christie Brinkley and Martha Stewart—who basically broke the internet last year—sharing space with the next generation. It’s wild to think how much this specific magazine has pivoted from being a simple "guys' mag" to this juggernaut of "legendary" status and brand-building.
The 2024 edition was a heavy hitter. They went all out with seven different covers.
Think about that for a second. Seven.
They featured icons like Gayle King, Kate Upton, Hunter McGrady, and Chrissy Teigen. It wasn't just a photoshoot; it was a retrospective that felt more like a victory lap for a brand that almost didn't survive the digital shift. If you grew up seeing the neon bikinis of the 80s, the 2024 spread felt like a weird, beautiful fever dream where all those eras finally shook hands.
The 60th Anniversary Shift in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2024 Photos
People expected nostalgia. They got it, but with a twist. The sports illustrated swimsuit 2024 photos were shot across some pretty insane locations, including Porto (Portugal) and Belize, but the real story was the "Legends" shoot. They brought back big names like Molly Sims, Lily Aldridge, and even Maye Musk.
It's kinda fascinating to see how the lighting has changed. Back in the day, everything was high-contrast, super-saturated. Now? It’s softer. More editorial. More "high fashion" than "calendar girl."
Gayle King’s inclusion was probably the biggest talking point for the 2024 lineup. At 69, she wasn't just there as a novelty. She looked incredible in a custom Luis Onofre one-piece. It sent a pretty loud message about who the magazine thinks its audience is now. It's not just teenage boys with posters on their walls; it's women who want to see themselves reflected in a way that feels powerful rather than just... looked at.
Why the Locations Matter This Time Around
The choice of backdrop for the sports illustrated swimsuit 2024 photos wasn't accidental. They went back to places that felt "legacy."
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Take Hollywood, Florida, for example. It sounds basic, right? But the way Yu Tsai—one of their most prolific photographers—shot the "Legends" there made it look like a high-end vintage postcard. Then you have the Belize shoots with photography by Derek Kettela. The texture of the water and the limestone crags provided this raw, earthy vibe that contrasted heavily with the glamor of the Portugal shoots.
Portugal was a whole different beast. The architecture in Porto added a layer of sophistication we don't usually see. You have models like Brooks Nader and Camille Kostek against tiled walls and cobblestone streets. It’s a departure. It says, "We aren't just at the beach anymore." We’re in the world.
The Kate Upton Factor: A Full Circle Moment
Let’s talk about Kate Upton.
She basically owns the 2010s era of SI. Her 2024 return felt like the anchor the issue needed. When she first appeared, she was the "polarizing" figure because she didn't fit the ultra-thin runway mold of the time. Now, she’s the veteran. In her sports illustrated swimsuit 2024 photos, there’s this sense of ease. She isn't trying to prove anything anymore.
She was shot by Yu Tsai in Mexico, and the images are remarkably clean. No gimmicks. Just a woman who knows exactly how to work a lens after a decade in the spotlight. It’s sort of a "don't forget who started this trend" moment.
Real Diversity vs. Marketing Speak
Every year, people cry "woke" or "performative," but if you actually look at the 2024 roster, it feels more like a reflection of reality than a checklist.
Hunter McGrady has been a staple for years now, but her 2024 cover felt different. It was bold. It didn't feel like they were trying to hide her body or "style around" it. They leaned in.
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Then you have Brittany Maholmes.
Yeah, the "Queen of the Chiefs Kingdom." Her inclusion was a massive bridge between the hardcore sports world and the lifestyle side of the brand. People have opinions on her—boy, do they—but the photos themselves, shot in Belize, were surprisingly athletic and sharp. It wasn't just about being a "WAG." It was about the influence she wields in the current sports landscape.
The Technical Side: Lighting and Gear
If you're into photography, the 2024 issue is a masterclass in handling harsh sunlight.
Shooting on a beach is a nightmare. You’ve got sand getting into everything. The sun is bouncing off the water, creating these nasty highlights. But if you look closely at the sports illustrated swimsuit 2024 photos, you can see the clever use of large-scale diffusers and reflectors.
They aren't just using natural light. They are bending it.
Most of these were likely shot with high-end Phase One or Fujifilm medium format systems to get that insane level of detail in the skin texture. You can see the pores. You can see the freckles. In an era where AI is making everything look like plastic, SI went the other way. They kept the skin looking like skin. That’s a choice. A deliberate one.
What People Often Miss About the 2024 Issue
Most people just scroll through the Instagram feed and move on. They miss the "rookie" class.
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The 2024 rookies like Jena Sims and Aina Simon are actually where the future of the brand lies. These women aren't just models; they are content creators with their own massive ecosystems. SI is basically hitching its wagon to their personal brands.
It’s a smart business move. The magazine gets the followers, and the models get the "SI Swimsuit" stamp of approval, which is still the highest currency in the modeling world, even in 2026.
How to Find the Best Versions of the Images
If you're looking for the high-res sports illustrated swimsuit 2024 photos, don't just settle for the blurry re-uploads on gossip sites.
- The Official SI Swimsuit Website: They have the full galleries organized by model and location. It's the only place where the metadata and captions are actually correct.
- The SI Swimsuit App: If you want the behind-the-scenes video—which is honestly sometimes more interesting than the photos—the app is the way to go.
- Photographer Portfolios: Check out the personal sites of Yu Tsai or Derek Kettela. They often post "director’s cuts" or shots that didn't make the final print magazine but are arguably better.
Making Sense of the 60-Year Legacy
Where does SI go from here?
After the 2024 anniversary, they’ve set a high bar for "nostalgia-core." They can’t just keep bringing back the same legends every year. They’ve proven they can honor the past, but the 2024 photos also showed a slight identity crisis. Is it a fashion magazine? A sports supplement? A social justice platform?
It's a bit of everything. Sorta messy, mostly beautiful, and definitely still relevant.
The sports illustrated swimsuit 2024 photos stand as a time capsule of a brand trying to be everything to everyone and, against the odds, mostly succeeding. If you want to dive deeper, start by looking at the "Legends" gallery first—it provides the context you need to understand why the new faces are styled the way they are. Then, compare the lighting in the Portugal shoots to the Belize ones; you'll see two completely different philosophies of what "sexy" looks like in the modern age.
Check the official portals for the full-resolution sets and look for the "unretouched" series if you want to see the real craftsmanship behind the 60th-anniversary celebration.