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AIBU?

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Original poster

Aibu to think Brooklyn Beckham getting a pro photography job is nepotism at its best?

51 replies

coffeeisnectar · 01/02/2016 21:59

So young Brooklyn, just 16 years old has landed the plum job of shooting the new Burberry ad causing much angst among professional photographers.

Some may argue he takes good selfies on instagram and has a huge following. But is that because of his photos or are his followers teenage girls hoping to bag themselves a Beckham boyfriend?

Is Brooklyn destinies to be another playboy drifting from one thing to another, living off his parents name and money?

OP posts:
MaryPoppinsPenguins · 01/02/2016 22:04

Complete nepotism.

But a lot of publicity for the brand...

Zampa · 01/02/2016 22:05

The name breeds success. He might be decent but in a way, it doesn't matter, as with the Beckham name attached to the project, the products are given media attention.

I guess it's the same thing as Stella McCartney getting the Chloe job soon after graduating (although at least she had a fashion degree).

I do feel for the "real" photographers and their assistants, slaving away at the coal face without a hope of such a lucrative contract but they may not be any more talented.

UndramaticPause · 01/02/2016 22:06

It's nepotism, yes, but everyone has to start somewhere

originalmavis · 01/02/2016 22:12

Oh please let them print the shots sans Photoshop or colour correction.

I know photographers who have grafted for bloody years to build portfolios, travelling all over for the perfect shot, self published, worked for nothing... I bet they are kicking themselves for just not having the good sense to have famous parents! How dumb must they feel right now!

Cerseirys · 01/02/2016 22:12

Wait, he's a photographer now? What happened to his modelling career? Not that he would've got that either if it weren't for nepotism. I'm sure he's a nice enough lad but looks-wise he is nothing out of the ordinary.

originalmavis · 01/02/2016 22:14

He'll be an astronaut next week, or a surgeon, or God...

AgentCooper · 01/02/2016 22:14

Completely agree. I'm sure he's a decent wee guy but it's so hard for photographers to get a start in the industry these days, especially when everyone thinks they can do it themselves with instagram.

PirateSmile · 01/02/2016 22:15

I'd imagine that a team of professionals set up the lighting and set and he then took the pictures. If he is a passionate photographer then the best of luck to him but he's definitely had a leg up and will only succeed if, like Stella McCartney, he proves to be genuinely talented.

HitsAndMrs · 01/02/2016 22:15

Definitely. Same with celebrities writing columns in magazines when regular people need a journalism degree, experience and talent to get anywhere close to that.

CallaLilli · 01/02/2016 22:16

Have you seen some of the clothes Stella designs? I'm not sure I'd call her talented!

originalmavis · 01/02/2016 22:16

At 16 though? I've not heard that it's his passion or even a hobby. At that age my brother had been snapping for ten years and was printing his own shots in the attic.

Cerseirys · 01/02/2016 22:17

Definitely. Same with celebrities writing columns in magazines

YY to this! How on earth is Alanis Morissette the Guardian's new agony aunt??

SaucyJack · 01/02/2016 22:19

Just consider how many people will now Google the ad after hearing that BB photographed it- compared to it being shot by somebody they'd never heard of.

These people are not daft. All publicity is good publicity.

Lweji · 01/02/2016 22:19

Strictly, it's not nepotism. Unless he's a relative of the Burberry people who hired him. Or his mum appears the ad.

They want to cash in on his celebrity status. It's not much different from hiring a well known face to appear in the ads.
It only works while the wider public falls over for celebrities.

MaisyMooMoo · 01/02/2016 22:20

I don't think this will do the Beckham brand any favours. Pissing off the Papps is not the best move.

SaucyJack · 01/02/2016 22:20

(!!)

Alanis would be an awesome agony aunt. I take it you were not a teeen in the 90s Cerseirys?

Original poster
coffeeisnectar · 01/02/2016 22:20

Romeo has the looks for modelling, he's a beautiful boy.

Brooklyn has tried football, modelling and now photography. He only left school six months ago. Not sure why his parents haven't pushed him to do further education rather than letting him turn into a mini celebrity.

I'm dreading the younger ones reaching this age, it will be like the Kardashian clan all over again. Sick of hearing about them as well. What exactly do they do? Actually, scrap that. I don't want to know.

OP posts:
jay55 · 01/02/2016 22:22

I think it's nice he's working, however easily he's come to the job. Given it is the current reality that views on YouTube, followers on Twitter and likes on Instagram are a way people get book, tv and music deals these days.

MrsJayy · 01/02/2016 22:23

Modern apprentiship obviously Grin the fashion industry is shallow and all about trends BB is on trend. Will be somebody else vicky b calls herself a fashion designer and has a couple of shops id love to see her design degree oh wait ...

MrsJayy · 01/02/2016 22:24

Will be somebody else soon*

originalmavis · 01/02/2016 22:25

It won't really be work though. Real shoots are long, boring, usually cold and oh, did I say boring? It will all be set up for him and he will press a button and bugger off.

MrsJayy · 01/02/2016 22:26

Aye he will saunter in squint press a button and leave

SouthWestmom · 01/02/2016 22:31

Oh it happens all the time. There's just an upper circle (not class related) of famous people breeding other famous people. Columnists like Alan Coren made it alone and then their kids get the gig. Acting dynasties. Singers.
Other people could do it just as well or better but as long as the name and the 'good enough' is there it won't change.

Cerseirys · 01/02/2016 22:34

I was SaucyJack! Come to think of it, what qualifications did Mariella have before she became an aging aunt?

Back to the Beckhams, wasn't Romeo modelling for Burberry at one point?

MaisieHerbert · 01/02/2016 22:35

It's Burberry who have employed him, how about aiming the venom at them!

Except for they've been savvy, apparently he has a million young, aspirational followers on Instagram, the next generation of Burberry buyers. Clever old Burberry.