Is it illegal to send photos of yourself when offering to buy RE?

[Austin Hair]

I composed an offer letter for my real estate agent to send out and it included pictures of my wife and our new baby. 

After sending out 10 offer letters, I found out she hasn't been including our photos. When I asked why, her response was, "I can't do that due to Fair Housing Laws unfortunately."

Is that true?

[Russell Brazil]

It is explicitly illegal in the state of Oregon to do so. 

While not explicitly illegal anywhere else, NAR gudiance, as well as the guidance from a number of state real estate commissions is not to do it, because it can potentially cause a fair housing violation which is illegal. The agent opens themselves up to a potential $16,000 fine for a first offense from HUD by doing so, and that does not include any potential civil or local liability. Local association rules may also consider it an ethics violation, which can lead to fines as well as suspension of license, or referral to HUD for investigation. As a member of my board, Ive personally been involved in the issueing of fines for this very thing.