#19 Expressions for Asking Someone to Take a Photo｜Polite English Phrases for Requests

When I visit tourist attractions or beautiful scenic spots, there are often moments when I would like to have a picture taken of myself or with my friends.

At such times, if I can naturally say something like, “Excuse me, could you take a picture of me?”, my travel memories will become even more special.

In this lesson, I will introduce standard phrases for politely asking strangers to take a photo, along with the grammar and key expressions behind them.

Dialogue

A

Excuse me, could you take a picture of me?

B

Sure! Just press this button, right?

A

Yes, thank you so much.

B

All set. Would you like to check it?

A

It looks great! Thanks again.

B

You’re welcome. Have a nice trip!

1. Polite Requests

The phrase “Could you ～?” is a polite way to ask someone to do something for you.

Although “Can you ～?” is also possible, “Could” sounds more polite and reserved, making it safer to use with strangers.

The phrase “take a picture of me” means “to take a photo of me.”

By changing “of me” to “of us” (of my friend, of my family, etc.), you can adapt it to different situations.

2. Polite Offers or Confirmations

After taking a picture, the person might ask: “Would you like to check it?”

“Would you like to ～?” is a polite phrase used for suggestions or invitations, equivalent to “Would you care to ～?”

3. Expressing Impressions of a Photo

When looking at a photo and wanting to say “It looks nice!” or “Well taken!”, a common phrase is “It looks great!”

The structure “It looks + adjective” means “It appears ～ / It seems ～.”

Other examples include:

Besides look, verbs like “turn out” and “come out” are also natural choices when describing how a photo turned out.

4. Friendly Farewells

After such an exchange, a farewell phrase leaves a warm impression.

These are common in tourist settings, and a natural reply is simply “You too!”

Summary