Provided are a photographing control method and apparatus. The photographing control method includes: obtaining image data from a subject during pre-emission of a strobe, detecting a face region of the subject based on the obtained image data, and performing a calculation for main emission based on the detected face region and controlling main emission of the strobe. Accordingly, even when it is difficult to detect a face because of low brightness at the position of the face, the probability of detecting the face can be increased and an appropriately exposed image can be obtained.