How to Take the Perfect Thirst Trap

PDF download Download Article
Thirst trap tips on lighting, facial expressions, & more
PDF download Download Article

Ah, the thirst trap. The selfie’s hotter, bolder cousin. This phenomenon has been blessing our social media timelines for the last several years, offering us plenty of spicy pictures and a whole new flirtation trick in the process. But thirst traps can be tricky. Taking the perfect tt is an art form, and there’s still some debate over what a thirst trap even is. Well, we’re here to clear all that up. In this article, we’ll explain thirst traps once and for all, and offer you plenty of expert tips and poses to make your next pic a stunner.

Things You Should Know

  • Try an over-the-shoulder glance with the picture taken from the back or side for a high-fashion thirst trap.
  • Take a close-up selfie with soft lighting and a smize (smile with your eyes, not your mouth) for a cutesier thirst trap.
  • Arch your back and extend your legs to make your legs and butt appear fuller in your thirst traps.
  • Wear solid-colored clothes in front of a simple background when taking a thirst trap. You want the focus to be on you, not your outfit or location.
Section 1 of 3:

Ideas for Poses

PDF download Download Article
  1. Place your best foot forward (literally) and capture a full-body shot with one leg extended in front of you. This will flex your thighs to make your legs appear fuller and rounder. To make this pose feel more natural, arch your shoulders back slightly or support yourself against a wall or railing.
    • Great outfits for this pose include dresses with slits, skirts, and form-fitting athleisure like yoga shorts or leggings.
  2. Face your back or side to the camera and twist your head with a pout to achieve a seductive, high-fashion aesthetic. This pose has been a staple of sexy album covers from Cheryl Cole to Donna Summers to Shakira. [1]
    • To add an extra degree of steam, lose the shirt and keep everything but your face and shoulders hidden in the frame.
    Advertisement
  3. Cutesy can be just as powerful when it comes to thirst traps. Take a low-stakes selfie and let your facial expression do most of the flirting for you. Aim the camera slightly above you and angle your chin down with one raised eyebrow for a universally-flattering look. [2]
    • You can also try extending your head to create a longer neck and sharper jawline.
  4. To create the illusion of a tight waist and bigger butt (or accentuate both if you naturally have either), arch your back ever-so-slightly and take your picture from a side angle.
  5. For a sizzling thirst trap, get in a filled bathtub and shoot the picture from a high angle to enhance your silhouette. Use bubbles to hide parts you do not want seen (or the fact that you’re clothed underneath).
  6. While most thirst traps emphasize minimalism and casual wear, snapping a fire picture while you’re in your Sunday best can provide you a sexy, elevated look (for men especially). Next time you have to dress up for a wedding, headshots, or another fancy event, take a full body shot to show off your new suit or dress (and how divinely it fits you).
    • To add more elegance, try a red-carpet pose. Put your hands together near your midsection, place a hand on your hip, or put your hands in your pockets (especially if you're wearing a suit). [3]
  7. The perfect mix of aesthetic and nonchalant, the “planned candid” or “plandid” makes your strategically-posed photo seem accidental. To take a “plandid,” slowly perform a photogenic and expressive motion like flipping your hair back while looking away pensively, laughing, or walking towards the camera. Have a photographer take several pictures as you perform this motion and choose the snapshot that looks most authentic. [4]
    • If you don’t have a photographer available, put your phone on shutter mode and set a timer. Then, take the slow-motion pictures yourself.
  8. Right after your workout, your muscles are filled with fluid, making them seem bigger and more defined. Take advantage of this pump by snapping a few sexy thirst traps in your workout gear—or highlight those muscle groups further by losing some of your clothes altogether. [5]
    • While workout selfies are hot, avoid taking them in the gym as they can come off as arrogant and disrespectful to your fellow gym-goers.
  9. Swimsuit selfies are a classic thirst trap. Get cheeky by snapping a mirror selfie before you go for a dip in the pool or asking a friend to take a picture of you posing in your bikini or swim trunks.
    • To add some playfulness, try incorporating a fun, aquatic prop like floaties or a beach ball into your thirst trap.
    10. Advertisement
Section 2 of 3:

Photography and Staging Techniques

PDF download Download Article
  1. Stand outside or in front of a window to use natural light when taking thirst traps, since it’s generally softer and less showy. Plus, it will make your skin look fuller and smoother. Face the sun and roll up blinds to keep unflattering shadows to a minimum, unless you intentionally want to add drama or make your photo feel edgier. [6]
    • The best time of day, when it comes to photo lighting, is 1 hour before sunset. Commonly referred to as “golden hour,” the light at this time leaves you looking healthy and refreshed in your pictures. Check your area’s sunset time and plan your photoshoot accordingly. [7]
  2. Experiment with some trial photos to get an understanding of what angles and poses make you feel sexy and confident. For close-ups selfies, tilt your head up and down and side-to-side and take multiple pictures. Then, determine which angle looks most interesting. For wide shots, try multiple postures and hand poses (on hips, in pockets) and pick the ones that feel most natural. [8]
    • Photographers generally suggest angling the camera slightly above your forehead for a more flattering shot.
  3. Choose an outfit that you look good in, but still feels comfortable. High-waisted pants support your stomach to make your waist more snatched while bodysuits are suggestive without being too revealing. Or, try a tight v-neck to show off your shoulders and chest, and don’t be afraid to emphasize your legs with short shorts (or just underwear if you’re comfortable). [9]
    • Keep jewelry and statement pieces to a minimum. You want the focus to be on you, not what you’re wearing.
  4. Thirst traps are all about capturing attention, so you want to look and feel your best. Highlight your favorite features: your eyes, your jawline, your legs, your skin, whatever makes you feel most confident! [10]
    • For a simple, understated look, just apply a basic concealer and tinted moisturizer.
    • For a natural-looking blush, try putting on a tinted cheek cream .
    • Use an eyebrow pencil for sharper, bouncier brows.
    • Add some liquid highlighter for a more glamorous look (but make sure your outfit is equally vibrant).
    • Use lip gloss or lip balm for a juicier pout.
    • Apply a body highlighter for fuller, more shapely skin.
  5. Decide where you’ll be posting your thirst trap and choose your camera accordingly. If you plan on uploading the photo directly to your Instagram or Facebook feed, you may want to take your picture on something higher-quality (a professional camera or iPhone X or later) since people will be able to view it for longer. If you’re just uploading your thirst trap to a Snapchat story (24 hours or less), opt for a lower resolution since it’s quicker and more casual. [11]
  6. Make a face that feels flattering for you. Arch your eyebrows to highlight your eyes. Make a pouty or duck face to feel effortless and flirty. Or tilt your head and open your mouth ever-so-slightly for a sensual, high-fashion gaze. [12]
    • One of the most common facial expression tips for thirst trapping is to “smize.” Smile with your eyes, but keep your mouth neutral to appear sweet and sultry all at once.
  7. Opt for a minimalist background when taking thirst traps: a solid-colored bedroom, a plain wall, a pool, etc. Remove or reposition any background objects that may be distracting like loud posters or busy/cluttered desks. Your picture should be about you and only you. [13]
    • If your thirst trap is taken in front of a complicated background that you can’t simplify manually, blur the background during your photo editing.
  8. Use a photo-editing app like VSCO or FaceTune to add some saturation and remove any blemishes you’re insecure about. Just don’t go overboard. You want your thirst traps to look simple and low-stakes. [14]
    • When editing, prioritize skin tone, focus, and exposure. Try not to change any of these more than 35% and any other photo features more than 20%.
  9. While showing your abs and biting your lip can be hot, it’s even sexier when you’re confident and emotionally aware. The mental is just as important as the visual, so, rather than posting your thirst trap with a generic series of emojis, get creative. Spout off a joke, a recent accomplishment you’re proud of, or a cause you’re passionate about. [15]
    10. Advertisement
Section 3 of 3:

What’s a thirst trap?

PDF download Download Article
  1. A thirst trap is a sexy or flattering photo of yourself that you post online. Often accompanied by a flirty caption, thirst traps are pictures where you flaunt your best features. While they can be suggestive or even NSFW, they don’t have to be. What makes a thirst trap a thirst trap is that the photo is shared entirely to demonstrate how good you look. No career achievements. No inspiring stories. Just you being a smokeshow. [16]
    • Thirst traps are sometimes posted to seek attention from friends and followers (they’re a common tactic to get your crush to slide into your DM’s ), but they can also be a self-esteem boost made entirely for you. Empower yourself and others by sharing an image online that makes you look and feel good!


Expert Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Are there any other tips for sexy poses?
    Reina LeGrand
    Boudoir Photographer
    Reina LeGrand is a Photographer based in Scottsdale, Arizona. She is the owner and Lead Photographer of Bougie Boudoir Studio, a luxury boutique boudoir studio with locations in Castle Rock, CO, and Scottsdale, AZ. Reina primarily shoots in the AZ studio but works out of both studios. At Bougie Boudoir, Reina and her team celebrate the beauty and spirit of women through photography and believe that a Boudoir or Glamour Portrait Shoot is one of the most fun and life-affirming things a woman can do for herself. Their goal is for every one of their clients to feel comfortable and safe.
    Reina LeGrand
    Boudoir Photographer
    Expert Answer
    For more attractive poses, start with a calm and confident stance, such as reclining on your back against the headboard with your legs elevated and toes pointed. Position your hands close to your head and make slight contact with your hair. This pose achieves a gentle and welcoming appearance. One popular position suitable for all is lying in a straight line with toes pointed, bringing the top leg forward. Use the arm on the bed to prop up your head, this will create a smooth, elongated shape that will accentuate your curves and legs that will give you a tall, slender look. This position looks great on everyone, regardless of your height or body size. For a more dramatic effect, experiment with different angles of this pose, such as a subtle booty shot that radiates confidence and charm. Another great position is to kneel with your knees slightly open to bring in an element of suggestion while still being elegant.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 2 Helpful 1
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      50+ Creative and Funny Tinder Bios to Start a Conversation
      Everything You Need to Know to Get into Berghain
      How to
      Get Hunter Eyes Naturally or with Surgery
      Unstable Unicorns Rules: A Complete Game Guide
      1980s Pop Culture Trends: Styles, Fads & Moments that Defined a Decade
      The Most Iconic Pop Culture Moments & Trends of the 1990s
      How to
      Dress Up for a Disco Party
      How to
      Go Clubbing
      The 130+ Best Happy Birthday Greetings for a Friend
      How to
      Make Your Own TV Show
      How to
      Get Cast on "Love Is Blind" and Find Your Other Half
      How to
      Dance Disco
      How to
      Tell a Story
      How to
      Build a Float
      Advertisement

      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about boudoir photography, check out our in-depth interview with Brynne Zaniboni .

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2009/nov/18/cheryl-cole-female-album-artwork
      2. ↑ https://www.seventeen.com/life/g747/tips-perfect-selfie/
      3. ↑ https://www.elle.com/fashion/g8970/how-to-pose-like-a-red-carpet-pro/
      4. ↑ https://babe.net/2017/08/24/how-to-take-a-plandid-when-youre-alone-but-desperate-for-attention-11774
      5. ↑ https://www.the-sun.com/entertainment/6939730/gmas-sam-champion-shares-post-workout-thirst-trap/
      6. ↑ https://womanlylive.com/a-guide-to-taking-the-sexiest-thirst-trap-photos/
      7. ↑ https://www.jdinstitute.edu.in/golden-hour-selfie-what-and-why
      8. ↑ https://womanlylive.com/a-guide-to-taking-the-sexiest-thirst-trap-photos/
      9. ↑ https://lipstiq.com/191303/thirst-first-how-to-take-the-perfect-thirst-trap-you-know-you-want-to/
      1. ↑ https://lipstiq.com/191303/thirst-first-how-to-take-the-perfect-thirst-trap-you-know-you-want-to/
      2. ↑ https://www.documentjournal.com/2020/04/mastering-the-art-of-the-thirst-trap-with-dana-donnelly/
      3. ↑ https://www.seventeen.com/beauty/a36410/types-of-selfie-faces-on-instagram/
      4. ↑ https://www.seventeen.com/life/g747/tips-perfect-selfie/
      5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYhGgYeaDnM
      6. ↑ https://www.jezebel.com/roses-blindfolds-and-chopped-wood-meet-the-popular-t-1846400113
      7. ↑ https://greatist.com/discover/thirst-traps#good-or-bad

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 93,725 times.
      If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission .

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement