i don't want to be photographed

I would probably be sad if one of my bridesmaids declined to be in photos. There’s a reason I asked people to stand by my side and I would want those special memories. You don’t have to look at them after or have a copy but I wouldn’t take that from the bride and groom.

I would be offended since you are part of the wedding party. Do your best to muddle through it because it's for them. You dont have to go out of your way to get yourself into pics but at least do the obligatory ones and maybe you can position yourself behind someone. This is coming from an extremely nob-photogenic bride. Lol Make it about their day so that they dont think you are being overdramatic at their expense. My two cents.

Everyone’s driver license photo is terrible. My passport photo is awful too. I’d be really sad if one of my bridesmaids had asked not to be in formal photos. You don’t have to hang them in your house but please don’t be so down on yourself that you back out of the photos.

I think it'd be best to suck it up :x
I hear what you're saying - everyone has insecurities. But it also doesn't make sense to be a bridesmaid and not be in wedding party pics.

She asked you to be in her wedding for a reason. Asking not to be in the photos is almost like saying you dont want her to remember you were there when she looks back on that day years later. If you're that uncomfortable then ask to he pulled from the wedding entirely. If you dont like that suggestion then you'll just have to plaster a smile on your face and try to focus on her and not the camera.

I completely understand that you feel uncomfortable and may not be the most photogenic (I feel you there!!). However, the pictures are not for you and they aren't about you. Agreeing to be part of the wedding party is also agreeing to the pictures.

If you feel very strongly about not being photographed you might consider stepping down from the wedding party. I'm sure if your bride is a rational human being and you give her the reasons you stated in your message she will understand.

I would probably still be in at least a few of them with the large group shots. And then ask if you can step out and they can take a couple more. If you're uncomfortable with it, it's totally appropriate to ask her that the ones with you in them are not shared publicly.

I imagine your SIL asked you to be in her wedding because she genuinely wants you to be there, pictures and all. I understand not liking the way you look in photos, but I'd be crushed if one of my bridesmaids didn't want to be in any pictures.

I wouldn't be offended per se, but I would see it as dramatic if a bridesmaid were requesting to not be in photos. I would definitely not be happy about it and not want to deal with that, and while "offended" isn't the right word, sad definitely is. I would be truly sad if one of them didn't want to be in photos.
We asked my teenage brother if he wanted to be a groomsmen, I said I know it's not your thing and you don't have to if you don't want. He said he did it once last year and he really didn't like it, we're cool with him not being in ours. Being a bridesmaid/groomsmen is pretty much just buying a dress, standing in front of a crowd, and being in photos. He's 19, so buying/renting a tux is a lot, he hates lots of photos, and he hates standing in front of a crowd. We know he loves us just fine. But if he had accepted the position and then requested to not do one of those things, that would have been rude. It is something you know you're signing up for when you say yes.

I would say psych yourself up! Splurge and do a hair and make up trial (go on a nice date with your SO after!) and remind yourself of how beautiful you are, so you're excited for the wedding! Work through your photo fear, put it aside for one day, just like you do when you go to the DMV. You do drivers lic photos and passports and ID photos because it's a necessity, put this wedding in that same category. Treat it just like one of those. Remember: any bystanders, truly, are looking through that wedding album to look at the bride. Anyone looking out for you specifically is looking because they love you, and they think you're beautiful.

I understand what you are saying, but if you agreed to be part of the wedding, the photos come with it. If you don't want your photo be taken, you need to excuse yourself from the bridal party. If you are concerned with not looking good, have your hair and makeup done professionaly (if you are not already doing that). I would be out of this world annoyed and offended if someone in my wedding party did this. Remember, it really isn't about you - it's about the couple.

Yes it would be offensive - very. It's not your day. You obviously mean a lot to her if she asked you to be in her bridal party. You need to think about what she wants, not what you want. You said you want her photos to be special, and I'm guessing having someone she loves enough to be in the bridal party ACTUALLY BE IN THE PHOTOS will be special to her.

My guess is that if you are in the wedding party the bride already knows this about you. This shouldn't be a surprise to her. Honestly I would talk to her one on one and just tell her it is extremely uncomfortable for you and not something you wish to participate in. If she doesn't want a bridesmaid missing, she can swap you out (you should offer this to her). All of the suck it up comments are extremely gaslighting. No one should feel forced to participate in a way they are not comfortable. That being said, if the bride wants all of her wedding photos to include all bridal party members that's also OK. You can have different boundaries and comfort zones. It's healthy to respect each other's differences not force each other to deal.