Brooklyn Beckham and Burberry are creating quite a bit of controversy this week. After the British brand had announced that Beckham would be photographing their latest ad campaign, many professional photographers rushed to slam Burberry for devaluing their profession.
After being a model for Burberry, Brooklyn Beckham is a now a photographer for the brand, and it is either the greatest or the worst idea the British company ever had.
In 2014, an adorable Beckham made his debut in the fashion world by posing for Burberry and about a year later, his father, famous soccer player and model David Beckham revealed that he had a real passion for the industry. According to the proud father, the teenager was really interested in photography. Mr. Beckham shared:
“[Brooklyn] actually loves photography. That is one of his passions. I have always said to my children, as long as they have a passion for something, we will encourage it. He loves football, but has a passion for photography as well.”
In the fall of 2015, Brooklyn Beckham shared in an interview that he was hoping to study photography after high school. The young man said:
“I love football, but I’m also very passionate about photography and film. I’m keeping my options open right now. I’m hoping to study art and photography in the US, once I have finished my A Levels.”
This week, Brooklyn Beckham took to Instagram where he told his 5.9 million followers that he would be behind the camera for Burberry’s Brit Fragrances. On Saturday, the 16-year-old model and the company broadcast the shoot live on social media networks like Instagram and Snapchat hoping that a younger generation will get interested in in the luxury fashion house. Burberry CEO Christopher Bailey, who was thrilled to have commissioned the young photographer for the shoot, said:
“Brooklyn has a really great eye for image and Instagram works brilliantly for him as a platform to showcase his work. His style and attitude were exactly what we wanted to capture in the spirit of this new Brit fragrance campaign and I am loving the shots of today’s live shoot which looks incredible.”
The eldest of Victoria Beckham‘s four children is being slammed for the gig. One person explained:
“He is now a professional photographer, where did he get the experience? the joy of being rich and famous. he was born with a silver spoon and now taking work from real photographers who had to start at the bottom.”
Another added:
“Mum and dad worked their arses off so Brooklyn Beckham can get a free pass to live – horrible parents”
One commenter stated:
“He had the best lighting, best looking models, best makeup artists, best stylists, best location, this boy had nothing to do on that photoshoot – a last name like Jenner, Kardashian, Bush, Clinton will get you places. “
Professional photographers are not pleased with the move either. Jon Gorrigan angrily said:
“He’ll have the best hair and makeup, the best models, the very best equipment, so that the chance of any risk is greatly reduced. It infuriates me because I learned my trade and other photographers learn their trade but he’s not learning his trade. I can understand why they’re doing it, getting the younger generation interested in Burberry. It definitely annoys me. Names sell, don’t they?”
Moreover, fashion photographer Chris Floyd added:
“This is a devaluation of photography.It goes against everything his parents represent…. David and Victoria Beckham represent sheer willpower and graft. Especially her, she’s climbed that mountain all by herself. They represent hard work and then their 16-year-old year son comes along and it’s sheer nepotism. He hasn’t done it from hard work.”
Dear Brooklyn. Good on ya, mate! Hone your craft. Learn as much as you can. And be the best photographer you can be. Don’t listen to the haters. They forget that everyone starts some place…whether it’s Notting Hill or Beverly Hills. What matters is now. What are you doing today to make yourself a better photographer? Surround yourself with positive people. Keep growing. And as Steve Jobs would tell you…stay hungry…stay foolish. God bless and keep rolling.
Brooklyn’s photos look great. Just what you’d expect to see from someone with talent. I expect the professionals are worried about their jobs going to someone who has “connections”. At the end of the day though, if Brooklyn’s photos don’t sell the brand … I’m sure it will get sorted … but so far it looks really promising. Also… Brooklyn should go to school … there’s always something to learn about one’s craft.