We present K ^ { \prime } -band surface photometry of a sample of 31 inclined Sa-Scd galaxies , together with additional J - and H -band data for four of them .
In this first paper of a series , profiles are presented , together with global and isophotal parameters .
Our profiles are compared to similar B , R and I data collected from other sources .
Three galaxies exhibit previously unknown small bars in their center , while in five others , such bars may also be present .
Four objects present a narrow elongated feature in their center aligned with their major axis , which could be an inward extension of the disk .
A few galaxies display very thin spiral arms .
Color-color diagrams indicate that the extinction inside the four galaxies for which we have JHK ^ { \prime } images is limited to A _ { V } < 2 .