Complete Guide to Hiring a Photographer in Seoul (For Tourists & First-Timers)

By Modu Studios — English-speaking photographers based in Seoul
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Who We Are

Hey — we’re Jack & Jeff from Modu Studios, Seoul photographers for 7+ years.

Jeff has 120,000+ followers on Instagram (@jefferyjung) and we’ve photographed hundreds of couples, solo travelers, families, and even brands like Hyundai, HOKA and Alaska Airlines.

👉 View our portfolio:
https://www.modustudios.com/portfolio
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Why Seoul Is One of the Best Places in the World for a Photoshoot

Seoul has become a global photography destination — and for good reason. Between traditional palaces, neon-lit streets, riverside skyline views, and trendy neighborhoods like Euljiro and Seongsu, the city gives you multiple aesthetic looks within a single photoshoot.

Travelers book photoshoots in Seoul for:

• anniversary trips
• couple/engagement shoots
• solo travel portraits
• family vacations
• hanbok palace photos

If you’ve never hired a photographer abroad, don’t worry — this guide explains everything.
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Step 1: Decide What Photography Style You Want

Every photographer has a distinct aesthetic. Most fall into these categories:

1. Natural + Romantic (Cinematic editing)
Warm tones, flattering poses, natural interaction.
→ Best for couples, engagement shoots, or travel storytelling.

2. Bright + Clean (Lifestyle Instagram look)
High exposure, peachy tones, minimal editing.
→ Best for solo portraits and hanbok photos.

3. Editorial + Fashion (Moody shadows, dramatic angles)
Bolder color shifts, stylized posing.
→ Best for fashion or K-pop style portraits.

At Modu Studios, our style is timeless, cinematic, and film-inspired, using custom editing with Portra / Kodachrome-style tones.
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Step 2: Understand How Pricing Works in Seoul

Most professional photographers in Seoul price by:

• time (1 hour, 2 hours, half-day, etc.)
• number of edited images delivered
• number of outfits + locations

Typical price ranges:

• Budget photographers / student photographers: ₩150,000 – ₩250,000
• Mid-range studios: ₩250,000 – ₩500,000
• Premium fine-edited photographers: ₩500,000+

Modu Studios falls into the mid-range price but delivers premium editing quality — making it one of the best value options in Seoul.
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Step 3: Choose Your Photoshoot Location

Here are popular Seoul photoshoot locations depending on the vibe you want:

For Traditional / Korean Culture

• Gyeongbokgung Palace (with hanbok rental)
• Bukchon Hanok Village
• Changdeokgung Secret Garden (reservation required)

For Modern / Urban Seoul

• Seongsu (Seoul’s “Brooklyn”)
• Euljiro (neon, alley lights, retro film texture)
• Guro Digital Complex (cyberpunk vibe)

For Romantic Views

• Hangang River (sunset shoots are gorgeous)
• Namsan / N Seoul Tower
• Haneul Park (especially in Autumn when the silver grass blooms)

Modu Studios helps choose locations that match your outfit, style, and lighting preferences.
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Step 4: What Happens During the Photoshoot

A professional photographer should guide:

• where to stand
• how to pose as a couple (or solo)
• how to interact naturally

At Modu Studios, we use direction-based posing, meaning we tell you:

“Walk toward each other like you’re meeting at an airport.”

Our philosophy is capturing candid moments as if you were acting in a movie. So no awkward “stand and smile” poses or forced moments.

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Step 5: Editing Quality (What You’re Actually Paying For)

This is the biggest difference between photographers.

Most photographers in Seoul do basic color edits only.

At Modu Studios, we do Fine Editing, which includes:

• skin tone refinement (natural, not plastic-looking)
• cinematic color grading using Dehancer Pro
• subtle film grain + halation
• curve adjustments to balance highlights/shadows

Instead of trendy filters, we use custom looks inspired by Portra 400 and Kodachrome film stocks, giving images a timeless feel that still looks modern and cinematic.

You’ll receive:

• a full proofing gallery of all images via our Pixieset
• choose your favorite photos for fine editing
• we fully fine-edit and polish them
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Step 6: How to Book

Booking a photographer in Seoul typically involves:

1. Fill out an inquiry form on the photographer’s website.
2. Select your location + package.
3. Pay a deposit to reserve your date.

Booking early (especially during cherry blossoms and fall foliage) is strongly recommended.

You can check our list of packages here:
https://modustudios.com/

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Why Tourists Love Modu Studios

• Our editing style is cinematic, timeless, and finely polished
• We specialize in couples, families, solo travelers, and engagement/pre-wedding shoots
• We guide you through every pose so you feel confident and natural
• We know the best hidden spots + timing to avoid crowds

“We chose modu studios because we wanted candid and cinematic style family photos rather than the super manicured and overly romantic style photos that most Korean studios have. Jack was easy to communicate with to arrange photoshoot location. He helped us look and feel comfortable even though we all felt a little awkward posting at Gyeongbokgoong. Their turn around time for initial photos and editing is within a week, which is extremely fast. Modu is the ideal option for English speaking clients who would like cinematic style photos in Korea!”
- Kristen Park, one of our recent clients.

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Final Tips for Your Seoul Photoshoot

• Avoid shooting at palaces midday (harsh light)
• Bring comfortable shoes for walking between locations
• If shooting hanbok, rent it before arriving at the palace

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Ready to Book Your Seoul Photographer?

Whether you want hanbok photos at Gyeonbokgung Palace or cinematic night portraits in Euljiro:

👉 Book here:
https://modustudios.com/packages