Aspiring photographer Brooklyn Beckham is reported to be quitting his photography course just a few months after moving across the pond to study.
The 18 year old relocated to New York last year, where he has been part of a course at the prestigious Parsons School of Design since August. But U.K. media are now suggesting the eldest son of David and Victoria Beckham is considering dropping out in favor of an internship with a leading photographer.
He has apparently had a number of offers from various individuals, as well as industry bigwigs, who have promised to take the young talent under their wing. Beckham is said to be weighing up his options so as to determine where he’d be best placed.
For someone relatively new to the industry, Beckham already has a number of career achievements under his belt, including shooting a Burberry campaign, and releasing a photo book — the latter of which received heavy critique for its “terrible photos and even worse captions.”
Further education in creative subjects has been the topic of much discussion in recent years, with their relevancy questioned. In an industry dictated so heavily by the mantra “who you know, not what you know,” should Beckham ditch his course in favor of first-hand experience with working photographers?
Lead image by James Bold via Unsplash.
Part of me thinks staying in school would be beneficial to help keep him grounded in such a public life. But also, why not just enjoy the ride and take advantage of the opportunities life gives you to the fullest?
His ability to think creatively could be cultivated better in school but school will always be there for him. His popularity might only last so long so why not take the opportunity to learn under real working professionals. Photography like any creative art doesn't always need formal training. The only question is if he has enough technical skill to keep up with one of the top professionals he might study under.
I don't know what his personality is like but if he's humble, one on one with with the right mentor would be the best.
I would tend to say stay in school, but the bigger question I have is "how the heck did he get a major ad campaign if he is of mediocre talent?".
And social media following. Which is of course largely because of who has parents are.
I was thinking it, just didn't say it lol
Does anyone have the link of
the Burberry ad?...I can't believe a major company would settle for less than truly professional.
I mean, see what you just did there? You are seeking out their ad based on who photographed it. That sounds like smart marketing from a major company to me. You're getting hung up on the photography when that's not what this is about.
My bad Ryan...I guess their (Burberry's) ploy works/ed...I kinda want to see it, not because of the nepotism, but to see if the kid has any talent.
The Internet is changing everything. The mayor gallery in the world today is Instagram. That means that the public is for the first time in history, mostly random and not educated in photography or the subject in question. Companies want exposure, want clicks in his ads, comments, people talking about his product, his firm... Beckham is a celebrity, has millions of followers. Hire him means great exposure, is a good commercial move... is not anymore about photography
Google easily found... http://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/models/news/a16614/burberry-brookly...
And look above the comments and you find...
https://fstoppers.com/fashion/16-year-old-brooklyn-beckham-official-phot...
the same reason people watch the kardasihians..not for their intelligence or class :P
i'm shocked............he wants to quit because some mean instructor probably said his stuff sucked and he doesn't care who his parents are ? i bit of the real world kicked in for him. he should drop out and give his spot to a more dedicated photog and just intern with someone who can teach the basics and they can both benefit from the PR that it will bring them. his biggest problem is that people have always told him how great he was and he probably now realizes he is not after a few weeks into school.
You got all that from this article?! I must have missed that part.
I almost can't tell if this post is satire or not.
parents with influence got him where is now. i couldnt effort tending that school, in fact, i have to save up visiting NY for a weekend. landing campaigns, dude,. my parents are,....
sadly doing good photos these days is only part of it
popularity is of course the other part and often gets you further ahead in our narcissistic society
some can combine the two others can not :)
many defended his photos from the campaign he did and others were like whatever sub par
the reality is he did little but press the button ?
everything was totally controlled and handled for him by a huge amount of people behind the scene top models lighting post directors everything
throw him in a room with regular people a camera 2 lights and a computer loaded with PS and LR and see what comes out of it compared to a good pro
and again many who blindly follow or idolize the elite will defend him ? its a bizarre thing for sure :)
sadly school does not make one a photographer either :) reckon he found he could not hack it or does not care to do actual work ? who knows :)
most of us would and do use every connection we have to get ahead and get work
he just happens to have some of the best in the world ?
and as said above marketing for a company is not about what is best its about what sells best !
Know what? While on one hand, I think it's kinda weird that the world works that way, the kid probably really likes photography, and he's lucky enough to have parents who can help supporting him in his passion. Is it a bit unfair? Yes. But at the same time, I don't know, it's not like he's really taking away from others either. So I just hope that he gets better and finds his niche.
Why (and I could not possibly emphasize this enough) does anyone care? If binge-watching has taught us anything, it's that stories are best-loved when told in the future when the tale can be enjoyed in its entirety.
School is hard..why work for it when everybody wants you anyway? Besides, in 4 years time the hype may be over. So clever thinking B.
I got my first job at a warehouse because my parents knew the manager. My sister got her job because someone who worked their brought her in. This happens everywhere. Just because his parents have money and help him upsets people here who feel like they work hard to get their work out there. You feel like you have to struggle. If you are really that upset then your looking at photography as a Job not as a career. You shouldn't really care about who gets what easier. Enjoy the hardship. Yeah sure sometimes it gets tougher than you can usually handle but think about this... If Brooklyn goes through hardships where his family can't help him he might have a hard time. If you make it as a professional and then confront difficulties... you know you'll be fine
Why bother...he can get by on social media clout and mediocre skills. At the end he will still be richer and more well known than anyone else commenting here including me :-)
The frustrating and most blatant thing. Who is this kid without his parents? ... No one. A student, a kid with a camera. Yes definitely should stya in school, take opportunities etc etc blah blah. But really would anyone be talking about him if his last name were Smith?
.
And yeah jealous. I wish I had more opportunities. Whatever though, he doesn't affect me, or you, or anyone. Just very annoying having entitlement shoved in your feed...
I thought this was a headline from an article on the Onion.
I studied photography for 3 years. Then I assisted. Guess where I learned more, and faster.
Don't stay in school fool.