This piece examines the modern thirst trap as both self-expression and strategy. It highlights how stars like Chris Hemsworth and Justin Bieber, along with Indian designers such as Narresh Kukreja, leverage shirtless selfies, beach shots and gym updates. With emphasis on lighting, shadows, posture and mood, the article shows how these images can promote body positivity, engagement and even professional gains.
The thirst trap phenomenon is real! Most of us have posted a shirtless post gym selfie or a shower room update on our IG Story. Though the intent behind the post is often different, it always gets a range of reactions - from some followers responding with their own thirst trap to some sliding into the DMs with a hookup invite. While some thirst trap pros could be rooting for body positivity, others may just want to get an ex's attention. Recently, seven-time Super Bowl champ Tom Brady shared a series of photos from his couch on his Instagram Story that fans believe may be intended for a special someone. The 48-year-old NFL broadcaster posted an image in a brown and yellow hoodie while looking into the camera with a slight pout, captioned: "So this is what you do on a Sunday."
Some thirst traps also open up new avenues in showbiz. Back in March, hairstylist Chris Appleton posted a thirst trap as a joke and captioned it as, “This is my Baywatch audition.” and the Baywatch producer hired him on the spot.
The likes of Chris Hemsworth, Justin Bieber, Sidharth Malhotra, Tiger Shroff, Varun Dhawan, Ishaan Khatter, Ahaan Panday, Ibrahim Ali Khan have time and again broken the Internet with shirtless selfies, beach holiday and workout updates.
In fact, beauty brands have also tapped into the thirst trap frenzy which ensures virality and engagement like nothing else. A case in point being indē wild’s collaboration with Bollywood heart-stopper Ishaan Khatter which reconciles mainstream celebrity allure with approachable beauty. Indian designers too have mastered the craft of nailing the perfect thirst traps on their IG feeds. Fun, playful and which complements their aesthetic universe. Most of these design mavens treat their IG feeds as their diary through which they initiate a dialogue with their followers and fans.
Narresh Kukreja, Co-Founder & Creative Director of Shivan & Narresh is known for posting shirtless mirror selfies and playful beach and poolside updates on his vibrant IG feed. "It's about embracing and celebrating the version of myself that makes me feel happiest and most confident in. When I put those images into the world, they're not necessarily about how others see me, they're a reflection of how I see myself," he shares. According to the designer, lighting plays a crucial role when photographing yourself. "For me and really for anyone, the same image can look completely different depending on the light source and its direction," he avers.
When Narresh takes a picture, he usually looks for side lighting or light coming in at a particular angle, because it creates depth and dimension. "Shadows are especially important as they help accentuate the body's contours and define muscle structure. Ultimately, it’s all a play of light and shadow, which is why the light source matters so much," he adds.
In Narresh's case, he has a setup that works well for him - a balcony to his right, so when he stands in front of a mirror, the natural side light creates subtle shadows across his body. "That interplay of light and shadow adds definition and brings out the details I want to capture, making the image feel more dynamic and flattering," he quips. Not surprisingly, the designer gets a lot of DMs whenever he posts on his stories, sometimes hundreds of responses to a single post/story. He double-taps the compliment and sends back a heart emoji.
Fashion designer Jubinav Chadha either posts by the poolside or at the gym. "Because there’s context. Good light helps, obviously, but authenticity photographs well from any angle. I love a mirror selfie too, but there has to be some aesthetic, mood or poetry to it. Otherwise, it’s just a person standing in front of a mirror," he avers.
Designer Sameer Madan who regularly posts his gym and shower updates, points out, "In a washroom, I look for side lighting because it creates depth and dimension. Poolside, I let natural light do the heavy lifting. Ultimately, good posture and understanding your angles matter more than any filter."
For him, Looksmaxing is really just attention to detail. "Tailoring, grooming, fitness, skincare. Fashion has taught me that small improvements often create the biggest impact. It’s less about changing who you are and more about presenting the best version of yourself. Naturally, that translates into the images you put out as well," he asserts.
Like any other thirst trap expert, Madan is inundated with all sorts of DMs. "They are usually the most entertaining part of the experience. You get everything from fashion questions to marriage proposals to people suddenly becoming poets. I don’t take any of it too seriously. If someone’s respectful and funny, I’ll engage. If not, I keep scrolling. A clever message will always beat a fire emoji," he quips.