Husband starts claiming wife’s wedding photography work as his own, insists he is part of the creative process by “supporting” her: ‘I didn’t build this career for someone else to take partial credit’

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Ely Bulnes • Writer and Editor
Nov 15, 2025 1:00 PM EST

In creative fields, there's something really special about your work finally starting to get the recognition you've poured years of sweat, time, and money into. Whether you're a painter, designer, photographer, or writer, your portfolio becomes an extension of you. It's a record of every late night, every risk, every skill sharpened through repetition. So when someone else begins to blur the line between supporting your craft and absorbing credit for it, the situation can get uncomfortable fast. One wedding photographer found herself in exactly that spot when her boyfriend began telling people they were a "creative team," proudly showing off her portfolio as if it were a shared endeavor.

Sometimes things with creative duos can get pretty murky when it comes to determining who the final product belongs to. If I give my husband's script for film class constructive criticism and he completely follows all of my input, is it still just his? If I ask him to mix some green oil paint for me or what figure to draw in a certain spot in my artwork, is my art now partially made by him? But the guy in this story isn't even a photographer. He's just a sales rep that wants to take credit for his wife's work. 

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  • 01

    AITA for asking my boyfriend to stop showing people "our" photography when it's all my work?

    Cheezburger Image 10576210176
    via kkshepel from Getty Images

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    I (27F) am a wedding photographer in Richmond. My boyfriend (29M) works in sales and has zero interest in photography himself.
    via u/Royal_Trouble_8713
  • 03
    I've spent years building my portfolio and recently had some of my work featured in a major
    via u/Royal_Trouble_8713
  • 04
    wedding magazine. I was incredibly proud - this is huge for my career.
    via u/Royal_Trouble_8713
  • 05
    My boyfriend was excited too. But then we went to a dinner party last weekend and things got weird.
    via u/Royal_Trouble_8713
  • 06
    Someone asked what I do, and before I could answer, my boyfriend jumped in with "We're wedding photographers" and
    via u/Royal_Trouble_8713
  • 07
    started showing my Instagram on his phone. He kept saying "we shot this wedding" and "we did this couple's engagement photos."
    via u/Royal_Trouble_8713
  • 08
    Cheezburger Image 10576210688
    via ASphotowed from Getty Images

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 09
    tried to laugh it off and clarify "I'm the photographer, he just comes along sometimes to help carry equipment." But he
    via u/Royal_Trouble_8713
  • 10
    This has happened three times now at different social events. He introduces us as a photography
    via u/Royal_Trouble_8713
  • 11
    doubled down and said "I help with the creative direction" which... he doesn't. He literally just holds a reflector when I ask.
    via u/Royal_Trouble_8713
  • 12
    team. Shows people my work like it's a joint portfolio. Acts like he's creatively involved when he's not.
    via u/Royal_Trouble_8713
  • 13
    M VF30 سسر GW 5> at
    via Kawê Rodrigues from Pexels

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 14
    I finally told him in private that it makes me uncomfortable when he says "we" because it's my
    via u/Royal_Trouble_8713
  • 15
    work, my business, my career. He helps occasionally but he's not a photographer.
    via u/Royal_Trouble_8713
  • 16
    He got really upset. Said I was being ungrateful because he "supports" me and comes to weddings when I need help. That
    via u/Royal_Trouble_8713
  • 17
    couples should present a united front and I'm making him look bad by correcting him in front of people.
    via u/Royal_Trouble_8713
  • 18
    Cheezburger Image 10576210432
    via Yevhen Rychko from Alamy

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 19
    But I didn't build this career for someone else to take partial credit. I went to school for this. I invested in equipment. I work 60- hour weeks during wedding season.
    via u/Royal_Trouble_8713
  • 20
    His friends are now saying I'm being "individualistic" and not treating the relationship like a
    via u/Royal_Trouble_8713
  • 21
    partnership. His mom texted me saying I should be happy he's proud of my work instead of "nitpicking."
    via u/Royal_Trouble_8713
  • 22
    But it's not about pride - it's about taking credit for something he didn't do.
    via u/Royal_Trouble_8713
  • 23
    AITA for asking him to stop saying "we" when he's not actually a photographer?
    via u/Royal_Trouble_8713
  • 24
    Turbulent_Muffin_143 NTA. He's not "supporting your career" - he's co-opting your accomplishments for social clout.
    via u/Turbulent_Muffin_143
  • 25
    soloman747 He sounds like a narcissist, and his friends/mom sound like his enablers.
    via u/soloman747

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relationship advice marriage photography Professional At Work work wife married life relationships husband couples career love toxic relationship girlboss
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