The teen progeny of soccer superstar David Beckham and designer Victoria ‘Posh Spice’ Beckham was hand-selected by Burberry to shoot their latest campaign – and professional photographers are really peeved about it.
The 16-year-old shot for the British luxury fashion house at the weekend, sharing the experience on his Instagram account, which has 5.9 million Instagram followers (a fact that may have had more to do with him getting the gig than his ability to ably adjust aperture).
But renowned snappers have had a go at the decision to hire the Converse-wearing, skateboarding, man-bun-rocking teen, claiming the choice was “sheer nepotism” and devalues the skills and training of his professional counterparts.
Fashion photographer Chris Floyd – known for his striking celebrity portraits – told The Guardian the teen going straight to shooting high-end jobs without the hard yards “goes against everything his parents represent”.
“David and Victoria Beckham represent sheer willpower and graft,” he said. “Especially her, she’s climbed that mountain all by herself. They represent hard work and then their 16-year-old son comes along and it’s sheer nepotism. He hasn’t done it from hard work, which is counter-intuitive to what his parents represent.”
The 47-year-old admitted Burberry’s decision to tap into the younger market through Brooklyn’s social media following was a smart business move, but not the best decision for photographic quality. “Part of me takes my hat off to Burberry and says that’s clever, but the photographer side of me says for god’s sake,” Floyd said.
Brooklyn’s younger brother, Romeo, also featured in the brand’s Christmas advertisement, which racked up 11 million views within two days.
It seems when it comes to experience versus almost 6 million Instagram followers, the choice for big brands is an easy one.
*Featured image via Instagram/@brooklynbeckham
Top Comments
How is this different to that Jenner girl becoming a model and walking for big name designers in her first shows? Other models have to work for years for lesser known designers before they make the big shows - is Jenner that much better than them?
Ahh maybe he just has a gift? Photography is an art after all, training will only get you so far.... haters gonna hate.
Yes, the world is very talented in the art of nepotism.