Thirst Trap Poses: Master the Art of Seductive Selfies

Social media apps like Instagram and Twitter and even dating apps (*cough cough* like ours *cough*) are wellsprings of photos and selfies taken by amateurs. These greenhorns mean well; you can tell by their funny captions and goofy charm. 

These pictures are lovely and sexy in their own right. But do they exude sex appeal the way an expert thirst trap can? Not quite. Nothing can beat a pro-level photo of someone’s butt cleavage that makes you wanna beat… well, something else.

So, if your goal is to look hot (doing a great job so far, by the way) and gain traction with your social media posts, you’ve got to learn the art of thirst-trapping. Fortunately, we have tips for a thirst trap photo shoot that will undeniably bring all the boys to the yard.

8 thirst trap examples and ideas

So, what would one consider a sexy thirst trap photo? And what pose should you strike to capture the attention, hearts, and throbbing members of the masses? Let’s look at eight examples of thirst trap ideas that might make your iPhone blush:

1. The Mirror Shot

The classic mirror shot is simple. You can show off your impeccable body and let everyone know about your great taste in interior design. And if your apartment is a mess, don’t fret. Mirrors are everywhere, so you’re free to take a mirror shot in the good lighting at the gym.

2. The Slim-Thick Arch

This pose requires you to arch your back while standing or sitting to flaunt your curves. It highlights your waist and hips — perfect for bottoms who want to back up that bussy with some receipts. Just prepare your butt for the flood of DMs you’ll receive after posting this kind of thirst trap.

3. The Leg Pop

Stand with one leg slightly bent and pop your hip to the side. This pose elongates your legs and adds a playful touch to your photo. It hasn’t been that popular since the collective unconscious exiled the duck face to somewhere off the coast of Millennial Island, but hey, it’s a time-tested and sexy favorite.

4. The Sultry Over-the-Shoulder Glance

“Who, me?” That’s you when you do this pose. It oozes sexiness and feels flirty without being overly provocative, especially if you flash the camera a sly grin. Be careful about your face here, though, particularly your eyes. You don’t want to give off the impression you’ve been caught eating a block of cheese from the fridge.

5. The Steamy Bath Scene

Bathrooms are a prime location to take a seductive selfie. But it’s even hotter if you can capture your moment in a steamy bubble bath or shower. Sure, it’s a “private” moment, but what better way to entice people than by giving them a taste of the good stuff?

6. The Post-Workout Flex

This is probably the most contentious of the thirst traps for guys, so let’s walk through how to execute it without cueing a collective eye-roll. A post-workout gym selfie can be hot under one condition: You make it clear what kind of flex this really is. Pretending you’re showing off gains when all you’re trying to do is make your friends horny is not a sustainable way to post thirst traps.

7. The Swimsuit Show Off

Whether it’s in an actual swimsuit or just a stretchy jockstrap number, stripping down to your skivvies is a classic thirst trap only rivaled by the mirror selfie. It’s attractive because it shows you have confidence in your body and are not afraid to have fun in the sun on your Instagram or dating profile.

8. The Bend and Twist

Understandably, anyone over 35 is imagining this pose and thinking, “What is this, Cirque du Soleil?” Not quite, although it is one of the more dynamic entries on this list. But that’s part of its allure. Twisting your body at the waist while leaning back slightly highlights your curves and creates an eye-catching shape.

10 tips for taking better thirst trap photos

Want to take a sexier selfie? Here’s how to keep your thirsty followers fed once you’ve mastered provocative poses.

1. Find your best lighting

Natural light will always do you the most favors. Position yourself outdoors or near a window for better lighting. And if you can find time during “golden hour” (the hour before sunset or after sunrise), that’s even better. 

If you’re stuck using boring ol’ indoor lighting or you don’t want to wait for the sun to tell you when you can be sexy, invest in some high-quality lighting.

2. Set the scene

We’ve all seen those sexy photos that are trying their best but falling short, marred by the cat anus staring you straight in the face from the background. You want to take thirst traps in a clean, uncluttered space far away from piles of laundry or pets that don’t understand boundaries. 

You can even use your environment to your advantage, strategically placing furniture or other accessories around you to add visual interest. Just take it easy; you still want that hot body of yours to be the focal point.

3. Experiment with angles

Play around with different angles to find your most flattering side. Shooting from above can create a slimming effect and highlight your features. Just don’t go too far up, lest you start serving early 2000’s MySpace realness (unless that’s your goal, then pop off).

4. Craft a standout caption

A picture is worth a thousand words, but some of us can yap way longer than that. Take your approach — whether it’s playful, humorous, or confident — and really lean into it. Try a few flirty emojis. Just know that less is usually more, and there are other ways to signify a dick besides eggplants.

5. Cater to your platform

Different social media platforms have distinct audiences and styles. Who’s your target demo? On Twitter, it might be the salivating coyotes you call your oomfs. On Facebook? Probably Nana. Instagram? Probably that account that makes jelly candies that look like dogs. So, you know, adjust accordingly.

6. Master your expressions

You could have the hottest body in the world. But if you’re giving a face that looks like you just swallowed a wet penny, that’s all anyone will see. Try a sexy smirk for something naughty but nice, or opt for a genuine smile; that tends to test well in focus groups.

7. Get glam with makeup

Enhance your features with makeup that helps boost your confidence. That doesn’t necessarily mean you need to be in full beat; there’s nothing wrong with a light concealer for that dewy look. But know that you’re always at your best when you’re wearing makeup that makes you feel good and reflects your personality.

8. Choose your outfit (or lack thereof)

You could wear a three-piece suit, your birthday suit, or anything in between; the choice is yours. If you feel sexy and confident, that will come across in your photo. 

That said, we suggest wearing something that complements your bulge or bottom if you want to make social media scrollers do a double take.

9. Own it

A shy, demure (we’re reclaiming it, sans meme) photo isn’t bad, necessarily. But it doesn’t make for a compelling thirst trap, either. Confidence is sexy, so embrace your body! And believe us — the thirsty comments and compliments will come in full force. 

10. Keep edits subtle

The high-tech tools available to touch up and edit photos are nothing short of miraculous. Yet we can all still clock it when we see it, especially when someone goes overboard (which happens a lot). 

Avoid over-editing and using filters. Let people see the authentic you, not your yassified self fresh off The Substance. Remember: If this is a social media post, some of your followers probably already know what you look like, and they know you don’t have heterochromia and a Voldemort nose.