Why does it offend people?!

People think that everyone should be just like them and can't wrap their heads around other people's insecurities.

For some people pictures are a really important part of creating memories. Maybe they are just frustrated you won’t participate, or they can’t include you in those memories?

View Quoted Comment Okay as silly as it sounds, I never thought of this. Thanks for your input.

View Quoted Comment I suppose. I would rather have no memory compared to an ugly memory of myself 😞

View Quoted Comment Girl! This makes my heart hurt for you! I know we are all our own worst critics, but truly we are ALL beautiful in our own unique ways. I hate that we, as a society, allow TVs and magazines to brainwash us into a small box of what is considered “beauty”. Its complete B.S.! And do you notice how it changes all the time?? Could you imagine showing the stick thin women in the 80s, with their crunchy bleached hair, thin lips, and tiny butts and breasts (what was considered “beautiful” then), a photo of the Kardashians with their straight hair, huge butt and breast implants, and over injected lips, and told them that’s what would be considered beauty in the 2000s?! I swear it’s all just a ploy to sell unnecessary junk to women. Constantly change the standards of beauty, make women feel self conscious and insecure, and then they will spends millions every year on makeup, diet products, cosmetic surgery. Don’t buy into it! You are unique and you are beautiful EXACTLY THE WAY YOU ARE!!

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Agree 100%

I absolutely love pictures, not of myself but of everything - my friends, family, life in general. Moments and people are precious and you truly never know when the pictures are all you will have.
I used to hate having my family force me into family pictures (or even a simple picture of me and my dad eating ice cream), but the older you get the more you realize capturing those moments are priceless and so important, it’s not always a beauty contest or someone trying to make you uncomfortable or self conscious!

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You’re getting married to their son; they aren’t asking for anything out of the ordinary. I’m sure over time they will eventually stop making a fuss, but not on their son’s wedding day.
Perhaps if you looked at your participation in being photographed as your gift to your in laws, it might be more tolerable. Because it truly would be a gift; a beautiful wedding photograph taken without concern, during a monumental life’s milestone, to look back on and smile.

This is going to be kind of morbid but here goes...

Pictures mean a lot to me because a lot of the time, when people pass it's the only thing I have to remember them by. My grandfather passed away when I was 17 and I framed literally every picture I could find with him in it just to have his memory there. I also had a friend who was a really good friend of mine pass suddenly a few years ago, and we never took a single picture together, and it made me really sad because while I have memories in my head of this person, I don't have the snapshots physically there. So for me I like having the photos because it captures a special moment in time, and it makes that moment last forever. I have friends and family who also don't like photos being taken but I do make them once in a while just so I can have it with me. So maybe that's the reason people want photos of you?

View Quoted Comment Hi Allie, thanks for your input.
To clarify: My question was why does it offend people when I opt out of them? Not, why do they want photos.

View Quoted Comment Unfortunately, if you read a previous post of mine, I shared earlier how my in-laws (specifically FH's brother and nephew) have said that I was unattractive and that I look like a gorilla. And that he should break up with me bc of my appearance. Never mentioned anything about my personality. After hearing stuff like that, you can't blame me for not wanting to take pics, especially with them.

View Quoted Comment Unfortunately, it may take a few more yesrs of getting older until I feel more comfortable with pics. Thanks for your input.

View Quoted Comment Oops sorry, to clarify: We are eloping. Thank goodness! Less pictures and ppl to worry about. Neither of our parents will be present.

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Wow! That is just cruel. I understand how that would make you not want to take pictures with/around them. And if they walk around saying stuff like that... I don't think you're under any obligation to appease them by taking pictures. Based on those comments, they seem very critical and appearance-obsessed. If they love pictures so much, maybe they can't understand when you don't and that's why they lash out. Or they're just controlling and can't deal when someone stands up to them. Some people also just don't understand that "it's simply how it's always done!" isn't a good reason in and of itself to do something. Yeah people obsess about picture taking at weddings, but just because they do doesn't mean I have to. I'm happy for you and your FH on your elopement! I hope it goes wonderfully.

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Well I could certainly understand your reservations to take pictures with those specific people (or even be in the same room as them)! That’s horrible! However, those people are no different than the faceless people behind TV, magazine and social media campaigns telling you that you need to look a certain way in order to be valued. Screw them & their opinions! You can’t let other peoples stupidity affect your own happiness and creating photographic memories of your life. I’m sure you don’t have high opinions of them anymore either, and they sure aren’t letting your opinions of them affect their lives, so why should you let their opinions of you affect yours?! This is one of my favorite mottos, and I think I could truly help you in your life: don’t take to heart the criticism of those you wouldn’t seek advice from

View Quoted Comment Yes, I'm excited to elope. Thank you, Meghan!

View Quoted Comment Okay thank you for your input

I am the same way. People just don’t listen and think they can cajole you. It actually makes me really mad.
We aren’t having a photographer. Neither of us want that pressure.

I never understood this either. I am not big on my picture being taken and people get pissed when I don't want it taken

View Quoted Comment Woah I'm jealous of you Samantha! Good for you for doing what you want.