Visiting a photo studio (사진 스튜디오 – sa-jin seu-tyu-di-o) is a popular activity in Korea, whether for official ID photos, professional profiles, or fun snapshots with friends. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and cultural insights to help you navigate the process smoothly, from booking your session to receiving your final pictures.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 사진 스튜디오 이용하기
Pronunciation: sa-jin seu-tyu-di-o i-yong-ha-gi
Meaning: Using a photo studio
Booking and Inquiries
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Expression: 예약하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: ye-yak-ha-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to make a reservation. -
Expression: 오늘 예약 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: o-neul ye-yak ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it possible to make a reservation for today? -
Expression: 내일 오후 2시에 예약할 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: nae-il o-hu du-si-e ye-yak-hal su i-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Can I make a reservation for 2 PM tomorrow? -
Expression: 증명사진 찍고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: jeung-myeong-sa-jin jjik-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to take an ID photo. -
Expression: 프로필 사진 가격은 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: peu-ro-pil sa-jin ga-gyeok-eun eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much does a profile photo session cost? -
Expression: 패키지 종류가 있나요?
Pronunciation: pae-ki-ji jong-nyu-ga in-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there different types of packages? -
Expression: 촬영 시간은 얼마나 걸려요?
Pronunciation: chwal-yeong si-gan-eun eol-ma-na geol-lyeo-yo?
Meaning: How long does the photo shoot take? -
Expression: 어떤 종류의 사진을 찍으세요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon jong-nyu-ui sa-jin-eul jji-geu-se-yo?
Meaning: What kind of photo are you looking to take? (Staff might ask this) -
Expression: 헤어랑 메이크업도 포함인가요?
Pronunciation: he-eo-rang me-i-keu-eop-do po-ham-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is hair and makeup included? -
Expression: 예약 변경/취소하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: ye-yak byeon-gyeong/chwi-so-ha-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to change/cancel my reservation. -
Expression: 혹시 빈 시간대가 있나요?
Pronunciation: hok-si bin si-gan-ttae-ga in-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any available time slots by any chance? -
Expression: 전화로 예약해도 되나요?
Pronunciation: jeon-hwa-ro ye-yak-hae-do doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I make a reservation by phone?
During the Photoshoot
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Expression: 어떻게 서야 할까요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteo-ke seo-ya hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: How should I stand? -
Expression: 어떤 포즈를 할까요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon po-jeu-reul hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: What kind of pose should I do? -
Expression: 자연스러운 표정으로 찍어주세요.
Pronunciation: ja-yeon-seu-reo-un pyo-jeong-eu-ro jji-geo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please take it with a natural expression. -
Expression: 좀 더 밝게 찍어주세요.
Pronunciation: jom deo bal-ge jji-geo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please take it a bit brighter. -
Expression: 이쪽을 볼까요?
Pronunciation: i-jjok-eul bol-kka-yo?
Meaning: Should I look this way? -
Expression: 웃어야 하나요?
Pronunciation: u-seo-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Should I smile? -
Expression: 배경을 바꿔주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: bae-gyeong-eul ba-kkwo-ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can you change the background? -
Expression: 소품을 사용해도 될까요?
Pronunciation: so-pum-eul sa-yong-hae-do doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: May I use props? -
Expression: 전신 사진으로 찍어주세요.
Pronunciation: jeon-sin sa-jin-eu-ro jji-geo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please take a full-body photo. -
Expression: 상반신 사진으로 찍어주세요.
Pronunciation: sang-ban-sin sa-jin-eu-ro jji-geo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please take a half-body (upper body) photo. -
Expression: 다시 찍어주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: da-si jji-geo-ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can you take it again? -
Expression: 잠시만요, 머리 좀 정리할게요.
Pronunciation: jam-si-man-yo, meo-ri jom jeong-ni-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: Just a moment, let me fix my hair.
Photo Selection and Editing
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Expression: 사진을 고르고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: sa-jin-eul go-reu-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to choose the photos. -
Expression: 어떤 사진이 제일 잘 나왔나요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon sa-jin-i je-il jal na-wan-na-yo?
Meaning: Which photo came out the best? -
Expression: 이 사진으로 할게요.
Pronunciation: i sa-jin-eu-ro hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll go with this photo. -
Expression: 사진 보정(수정) 해주세요.
Pronunciation: sa-jin bo-jeong(su-jeong) hae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please retouch (edit) the photo. -
Expression: 피부를 좀 더 부드럽게 해주세요.
Pronunciation: pi-bu-reul jom deo bu-deu-reop-ge hae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please make the skin a bit smoother. -
Expression: 턱선을 살짝 다듬어 주세요.
Pronunciation: teok-seon-eul sal-jjak da-deu-meo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please slightly refine the jawline. -
Expression: 사진은 언제 받을 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: sa-jin-eun eon-je ba-deul su in-na-yo?
Meaning: When can I receive the photos? -
Expression: 파일로도 받을 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: pa-il-lo-do ba-deul su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I receive them as digital files too? -
Expression: 인화된 사진은 몇 장 나오나요?
Pronunciation: in-hwa-doen sa-jin-eun myeot jang na-o-na-yo?
Meaning: How many printed photos will I get? -
Expression: 보정은 얼마나 걸리나요?
Pronunciation: bo-jeong-eun eol-ma-na geol-li-na-yo?
Meaning: How long does the retouching take? -
Expression: 이메일로 보내주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: i-me-il-lo bo-nae-ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can you send them via email? -
Expression: 추가 인화는 비용이 얼마인가요?
Pronunciation: chu-ga in-hwa-neun bi-yong-i eol-ma-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: How much does it cost for additional prints?
Korean Culture Notes
Popularity: Photo studios are incredibly popular in Korea, especially among younger generations. You’ll find them everywhere, from dedicated professional studios to trendy self-photo booths (인생네컷 – in-saeng-ne-keot style).
Types of Photos: Common reasons for visiting include getting mandatory ID photos (증명사진 – jeung-myeong-sa-jin) for resumes or official documents, professional profile photos (프로필 사진 – peu-ro-pil sa-jin), couple photos (커플 사진 – keo-peul sa-jin), and friendship photos (우정 사진 – u-jeong sa-jin).
Editing (“Bojeong”): Photo editing (보정 – bo-jeong) is standard practice and often included in the price. Common requests include skin smoothing, brightening, minor facial feature adjustments (like jawline slimming or eye enlargement), and background cleanup. Don’t be shy about discussing your preferences, but be aware that the “Korean standard” often leans towards significant retouching.
Packages and Speed: Many studios offer packages that include shooting, editing, and printing within a short timeframe, sometimes even within an hour or two, especially for ID photos. Prices vary greatly depending on the type of photo, studio reputation, and included services (like hair/makeup or outfit rental).
Self-Photo Studios: Unmanned, self-operated photo booths are extremely popular for casual, fun photos with friends. You select props, pose using a remote control, and the machine prints out photo strips instantly.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A customer (A) calls a photo studio to inquire about booking an ID photo session.
Roles: A = Customer, B = Studio Staff
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Expression: A: 여보세요, 사진관이죠? 증명사진 예약 문의 좀 하려고요.
Pronunciation: yeo-bo-se-yo, sa-jin-gwan-i-jyo? jeung-myeong-sa-jin ye-yak mun-ui jom ha-ryeo-go-yo.
Meaning: A: Hello, is this the photo studio? I’m calling to inquire about booking an ID photo session. -
Expression: B: 네, 맞습니다. 언제쯤 생각하고 계신가요?
Pronunciation: ne, mat-seum-ni-da. eon-je-jjeum saeng-gak-ha-go gye-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, that’s correct. When were you thinking of coming? -
Expression: A: 혹시 오늘 오후에 가능한 시간 있나요?
Pronunciation: hok-si o-neul o-hu-e ga-neung-han si-gan in-na-yo?
Meaning: A: Are there any available times this afternoon, by any chance? -
Expression: B: 네, 오후 3시 타임 비어있습니다. 괜찮으신가요?
Pronunciation: ne, o-hu se-si ta-im bi-eo-it-seum-ni-da. gwaen-chan-eu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, the 3 PM slot is free. Would that work for you? -
Expression: A: 네, 좋아요! 3시로 예약할게요. 가격은 얼마인가요? 보정도 포함되나요?
Pronunciation: ne, jo-a-yo! se-si-ro ye-yak-hal-ge-yo. ga-gyeok-eun eol-ma-in-ga-yo? bo-jeong-do po-ham-doe-na-yo?
Meaning: A: Yes, that’s great! I’ll book for 3 PM. How much is it? Does it include retouching? -
Expression: B: 증명사진은 기본 보정 포함해서 2만 5천원입니다. 촬영 후 바로 사진 고르시고 1시간 정도 후에 찾아가실 수 있습니다.
Pronunciation: jeung-myeong-sa-jin-eun gi-bon bo-jeong po-ham-hae-seo i-man o-cheon-won-im-ni-da. chwal-yeong hu ba-ro sa-jin go-reu-si-go han-si-gan jeong-do hu-e cha-ja-ga-sil su it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: B: ID photos are 25,000 won, including basic retouching. You can choose the photo right after the shoot and pick it up about an hour later. -
Expression: A: 알겠습니다. 그럼 3시에 뵙겠습니다.
Pronunciation: al-get-seum-ni-da. geu-reom se-si-e boep-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: A: Understood. Then I’ll see you at 3 PM. -
Expression: B: 네, 성함과 연락처 알려주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: ne, seong-ham-gwa yeol-lak-cheo al-lyeo-ju-si-get-sseo-yo?
Meaning: B: Okay, could you please give me your name and contact number?
Practice Tips
Getting photos taken in Korea can be a fun cultural experience! Try practicing these phrases before you go~ You can role-play booking a session or discussing editing preferences with a friend or language partner. Don’t be afraid to use simple phrases like ‘이거요 (i-geo-yo – This one)’ while pointing during photo selection. Most studio staff are used to working with foreigners and will appreciate your effort to speak Korean. Fighting! Fighting! (화이팅! – hwa-i-ting!)
