Whether you're photographing a display, a cosplayer, or asking a stranger to take your picture, always ask first — here's how.
Key Phrases
- May I take a photo? — 写真を撮ってもいいですか？(Shashin o totte mo ii desu ka?)
- Could you take a photo of me/us? — 写真を撮ってもらえますか？(Shashin o totte moraemasu ka?)
- May I take a photo together with you? — 一緒に写真を撮ってもいいですか？(Issho ni shashin o totte mo ii desu ka?) — the standard way to ask a cosplayer, for example.
- Flash is prohibited (staff) — フラッシュは禁止です。(Furasshu wa kinshi desu.)
- Photography is prohibited (staff/sign) — 撮影禁止です。(Satsuei kinshi desu.)
- Of course (reply) — もちろんです。(Mochiron desu.)
Dialogue
すみません、一緒に写真を撮ってもいいですか？
Sumimasen, issho ni shashin o totte mo ii desu ka?
"Excuse me, may I take a photo with you?"
もちろんです！
Mochiron desu!
"Of course!"
ありがとうございます！
Arigatō gozaimasu!
"Thank you!"
Related: see Shopping Manners 3: Photography & SNS Rules.
Quick Check
Q1. How do you ask "May I take a photo?"
A. 写真を撮ってもいいですか？ (Shashin o totte mo ii desu ka?)
Q2. How do you ask someone to take a photo of you?
A. 写真を撮ってもらえますか？ (Shashin o totte moraemasu ka?)
Q3. What does 撮影禁止です (satsuei kinshi desu) mean?
A. "Photography is prohibited."
Q4. How do you ask to take a photo together with someone, like a cosplayer?
A. 一緒に写真を撮ってもいいですか？ (Issho ni shashin o totte mo ii desu ka?)