CCD imaging of low-luminosity radio galaxies to detect the optical counterparts of radio jets is described in terms of the surface-photometry procedure and the results for two galaxies. The galaxies have low-power radio jets at the arcsec scale and appear to be interacting with companion galaxies. Interfering images are removed, and isophotal ellipse fitting is undertaken for the primary galaxies. A quasi-elliptical model is then constructed, and the model is subtracted from the original image. A comparison with simulations shows that the method permits the detection of photometric effects of the galactic interactions. A Vaucouleurs law fitted to the inner galaxy is extrapolated to the outer parts permitting the detection of effects such as deviations of the galaxy-surface brightness profiles and nonconcentric isophotes. The limits of the optical emissions from the inner parts of the jets are described in relation to the radio emission.