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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Husband sharing pics when I have asked him not to

112 replies

Wandavision2025 · 12/12/2025 22:51

I hate having my photo taken, and always have, as far back as I can remember, whether I looked great, or looked awful. I think part of it might stem from my mum who had a horrible habit off taking photos unexpectedly that always made me look like shit, and then being argumentatively crappy about it if I asked her to stop it. She would launch into a big lecture about me being vain - but in fact it was the absolute opposite I also had really low self esteem about my looks for a long time. It's not that I am vain, I just hate being reminded of all my flaws.

But it I do let people take pictures of me, there are a few every year, family gatherings and whatnot, and even upload a few to a shared group on Google photos.

I have asked my husband repeatedly, for years, not to share pictures of me without letting me see them first. He does it maybe three times a year, it's not all the time. But I want it to be zero times. I want him only to share photos of me if he lets me see them first and say no if I hate them.

And I always find one picture that I can stand and say yes to that. I never exactly like them, but there will be one that's ok that I will say yep, ok, you can send that.

Once, I actually tried embarrassing him into stopping, he uploaded some fugly pictures to a group chat with another family member and I actually posted "I have asked you not to share photos of me without my consent many times. Please stop doing this". He did stop sharing to group chat at least.

I just found out that he has sent another Moonpig card to his mum, as he does every year - if you don't know, Moonpig lets you upload photos to the card, prints it off and posts it to your recipient.

He casually mentioned it and I said I hope you didn't send a picture of me without me seeing it. He admitted he had, said it was a good picture and I said "But why didn't you ask me?" He said "You would have said no". I said that is the point of consent, I have the right to say no.

As it happens, the picture he shared is the one I would have picked, it's ok. But am I wrong to think that is just not the point, at all? I do not say no to all pictures, I would if I thought that was reasonable, but I understand a few pictures a year is probably something I just have to tolerate.

I just want to see them before he sends them and have the right to say no.

How do I get him to stop doing this and understand how wrong it is to keep doing this to someone?

Surely his reasons for upsetting me don't trump my reasons for wanting him to stop? Surely it is my right to ask my own husband to respect my wish to veto photos of myself shared by him? AIBU to think this?

OP posts:
Catapultaway · 12/12/2025 22:57

I thought it was going to be about sharing more intimate photos 😂
Hes sharing photos to limited people that you already know like family members? Hate to break it to you, they already know what 'fugly' you looks like.

Daytimenighttime · 12/12/2025 22:59

I don't think you are being unreasonable OP.

This is obviously something important to you.

The fact that he choses to ignore your wish regarding the photos would indicate a lack of respect. And I would worry as to what other areas of your lives together he choses to ignore your wishes.

Wandavision2025 · 12/12/2025 22:59

Catapultaway · 12/12/2025 22:57

I thought it was going to be about sharing more intimate photos 😂
Hes sharing photos to limited people that you already know like family members? Hate to break it to you, they already know what 'fugly' you looks like.

Actually, they do not. We live in another country and I have not met some of these people. And as I said, I always ok a few pictures every year. And it is about not having to look at a reminder of my flaws, I am well aware I am not perfect to look at.

Can I ask why do you think it's ok for him to ignore my request and can I ask why you think it's funny?

OP posts:
Irememberwhenitwasallfieldsroundhere · 12/12/2025 23:01

Get a grip

Wandavision2025 · 12/12/2025 23:01

Irememberwhenitwasallfieldsroundhere · 12/12/2025 23:01

Get a grip

In what way do I not have a grip? Could you clarify please?

OP posts:
ElectoralControversy · 12/12/2025 23:05

No it's not ok for him to share them when you've said no. I mean, letting you pick which one goes out is not that massive a task is it

Is there any way you can take unflattering pictures of him, blow them up hugely, and hang them on your walls?

Leeds2 · 12/12/2025 23:05

YANBU. This would absolutely infuriate me.

Is he taking the photos with your consent at the time? If so, I would just refuse to be in them. Or offer to take the photo.

CherryBlossom321 · 12/12/2025 23:05

He should respect your request.

nutbrownhare15 · 12/12/2025 23:06

Tell him it's a significant issue in your marriage and seriously eroding any trust you have in him.

Catapultaway · 12/12/2025 23:06

Wandavision2025 · 12/12/2025 22:59

Actually, they do not. We live in another country and I have not met some of these people. And as I said, I always ok a few pictures every year. And it is about not having to look at a reminder of my flaws, I am well aware I am not perfect to look at.

Can I ask why do you think it's ok for him to ignore my request and can I ask why you think it's funny?

Edited

Surely him showing you every photos means you would be reminded of your flaws more than if he just puts a picture on a moonpig card to his mum and sends it..
Its funny because its rediculous.

Bluejaysforthewin · 12/12/2025 23:10

I can understand not wanting him to share pics on social media or in group chats but I think yabu about a family picture on a card to his mum.

Wandavision2025 · 12/12/2025 23:12

Catapultaway · 12/12/2025 23:06

Surely him showing you every photos means you would be reminded of your flaws more than if he just puts a picture on a moonpig card to his mum and sends it..
Its funny because its rediculous.

Me having to look at a photo of myself once to say yes or no is not fun, but it's tolerable. Me having to look at the picture on her mantlepiece that she posted on Facebook is worse.

It is also that I hate the thought of other people being reminded of my flaws, and seeing them printed off, which I should have mentioned.

And it's also that I have asked him not to do this over and over and this is the most recent example of this. And that when I said why didn't you ask me his response was "because you would have said no". Which is not actually true, I would have said "let me choose the picture".

I do not understand why you think it is funny and ridiculous that my husband has gone against my expressly repeated request and will not just allow me to choose which pictures he shares?

I am not goading, I actually want to try to understand.

OP posts:
Wandavision2025 · 12/12/2025 23:13

Bluejaysforthewin · 12/12/2025 23:10

I can understand not wanting him to share pics on social media or in group chats but I think yabu about a family picture on a card to his mum.

Ok, but the picture is now printed and will be seen by anybody who visits. I find it upsetting that he chose to do that against my wishes. The picture is actually ok, I would have chosen it. But it's the fact that he just didn't care how I felt and did it anyway that is upsetting to me.

OP posts:
IsadoraBathrobe · 12/12/2025 23:19

YANBU OP. This is so disrespectful. Does he ignore other boundaries you put in place?

vitalityvix · 12/12/2025 23:19

How is your self esteem now? I have never known anyone be this uptight when it comes to meticulously controlling innocent images. Posting unflattering images to social media would be one thing but getting cross about a photo on a birthday card to his mother?

That said, we all have our little quirks and it isn’t hard to just show you the photos first as he knows it means so much to you. If it was my DH I’d respect his wishes even if I didn’t understand them.

Alittlefrustrated · 12/12/2025 23:22

YANBU OP. I have FFA, a type of alopecia , and look awful on photos. I am constantly made to feel unreasonable, for not wanting my photo took, by friends.
I'm out tomorrow, and I plan to stand my ground.
I'd be furious if my DP did this.

Wandavision2025 · 12/12/2025 23:23

Alittlefrustrated · 12/12/2025 23:22

YANBU OP. I have FFA, a type of alopecia , and look awful on photos. I am constantly made to feel unreasonable, for not wanting my photo took, by friends.
I'm out tomorrow, and I plan to stand my ground.
I'd be furious if my DP did this.

I'm actually really upset about it. He has apologised now, but what difference does that make if I can't trust him not to do it again?

I am sorry people pressure you like this, it's very unkind.

OP posts:
Wandavision2025 · 12/12/2025 23:26

IsadoraBathrobe · 12/12/2025 23:19

YANBU OP. This is so disrespectful. Does he ignore other boundaries you put in place?

I can't think of any other specific times he has gone against my pretty clear wishes, nothing is coming to mind, but he can be thoughtless and just barrel ahead with things sometimes without thinking of consequences.

I think maybe he just does not understand what a big deal it is to me, but I don't think that should matter, if someone says don't do that, and it doesn't hurt you to stop, I think you should stop. I don't know, maybe I'm making too big a deal out of it , I just can't decide if I am being unreasonable :(

OP posts:
Wandavision2025 · 12/12/2025 23:27

vitalityvix · 12/12/2025 23:19

How is your self esteem now? I have never known anyone be this uptight when it comes to meticulously controlling innocent images. Posting unflattering images to social media would be one thing but getting cross about a photo on a birthday card to his mother?

That said, we all have our little quirks and it isn’t hard to just show you the photos first as he knows it means so much to you. If it was my DH I’d respect his wishes even if I didn’t understand them.

I don't like the way I look, at all. I just don't think about it much in real life, and it does not stop me doing anything, I have an active life, reasonable job, get out and about. I just don't like being reminded how I look.

OP posts:
JemimaTiggywinkles · 12/12/2025 23:34

You are not unreasonable at all. Have you spoken to him about how this damages your trust in him and therefore your marriage? I’m not saying it’s a dealbreaker but it chips away at the foundations.

InterestedDad37 · 12/12/2025 23:37

My ex asked me to never share photos of her on social media. I respected that, and didn't, after she asked. But then I'd get (her) friends asking why I never shared photos of her. So I told them she asked me not to 😀 Which she didn't like me saying. 🤷
I guess I'm saying husband should absolutely respect your wishes, but allow him to say why if/when he's asked why he doesn't share more.

JemimaTiggywinkles · 12/12/2025 23:38

vitalityvix · 12/12/2025 23:19

How is your self esteem now? I have never known anyone be this uptight when it comes to meticulously controlling innocent images. Posting unflattering images to social media would be one thing but getting cross about a photo on a birthday card to his mother?

That said, we all have our little quirks and it isn’t hard to just show you the photos first as he knows it means so much to you. If it was my DH I’d respect his wishes even if I didn’t understand them.

I almost always refuse to have my photo taken. I don’t like how I look in photos and so choose not to have any taken. There’s a couple where I’ve allowed it on special occasions, but if I were to go missing my family would struggle to find a photo to give the police for identification!

My self esteem is generally good though. I feel that I look good in real life and I’m confident in my personality and ability to do my job. I’m not particularly vain (don’t wear make up, don’t blow dry my hair etc). Some of us are simply very un-photogenic and our boundaries should be respected.

IsadoraBathrobe · 12/12/2025 23:49

OP it doesn’t matter why you don’t like sharing the pics. You’ve asked him not to. He shouldn’t do it. End of.

Wandavision2025 · 13/12/2025 00:00

Thank you for your replies, i will check back later, and am genuinely willing to listen to opposing views, do not want to sound like I am just arguing, so apologise if I sounded a bit dogmatic in my responses.

OP posts:
firstofallimadelight · 13/12/2025 06:22

I get that to you this is a real thing but to most people (including your dh ) it’s not a big deal. Have you had therapy to work on your esteem issues? I do get where you are coming from my sister hates her photo being taken which I think stems from childhood and parents doing it at a time when she was self conscious of her looks. It’s sad your dh is dismissive of your feelings. maybe if you feel it’s something you can’t work on it would be easier to not let him photograph you if you can’t trust him.