Asking Permission to Take a Photo of a Person (Directly)
A photographer or tourist sees someone with an interesting outfit, skill, or pet in a public space and wants to take their picture. They approach them directly and ask for permission.
Dialogue
Listen and follow along with the conversation
Vocabulary
Essential words and phrases from the dialogue
excuse me
A polite way to get someone's attention before asking a question or making a request, often used in public to start a conversation.
rare
Not common or unusual; here, it describes something hard to find, like a special type of dog.
breed
A specific type or variety of animal, especially dogs or cats, like 'Corgi' which is a breed of dog.
adorable
Very cute and lovable, often used to describe something or someone that makes you smile, like a pet.
charming
Pleasing or delightful in a gentle way; used to describe something attractive and appealing, like the dog's appearance.
photographer
A person who takes photographs, either as a job or hobby; useful when introducing yourself in situations involving photos.
quick
Fast or short in time; here, it means the photo won't take long, to make the request less intrusive.
natural light
Light from the sun, not from artificial sources like lamps; important in photography for better quality pictures.
Key Sentences
Important phrases to remember and practice
Excuse me, I hope you don't mind me asking, but is that a really rare breed of dog?
This is a polite way to start a conversation and ask a question. 'I hope you don't mind me asking' softens the request to show respect. Use this when approaching strangers to ask about something interesting, like in public spaces. It's useful for intermediate learners to build rapport before a bigger request.
Would you mind if I took a quick photo of him, and maybe you two together?
This is a common polite way to ask for permission using 'Would you mind if...?' which expects a yes/no answer. 'Quick' makes it seem less demanding. Use this when requesting to take someone's or their pet's photo. The grammar is conditional for politeness, ideal for situations like tourism or street photography.
Oh, sure, that'd be fine!
A casual agreement meaning 'yes, no problem.' 'That'd be' is a contraction of 'that would be,' making it sound natural and friendly. Use this to politely give permission. It's practical for everyday responses to requests, helping learners sound relaxed in conversations.
Great, thank you so much!
An enthusiastic way to show appreciation after getting permission. 'Thank you so much' emphasizes gratitude. Use this right after someone agrees to your request to keep the interaction positive. It's a simple, high-frequency phrase for thanking in English.
Perfect, got it! Thanks again for your time.
'Got it' means 'I have what I need' or 'successful.' This wraps up the interaction politely. Use at the end of short encounters to thank and say goodbye. The grammar uses informal contractions for natural speech, useful for ending conversations smoothly.