Brooklyn Beckham Q&A: Everything’s just clicking into place for young Becks

As his new photography book is published, the Beckham’s eldest child reveals to Hannah Stephenson why he won’t be following in his father’s footsteps.

As the eldest son of David and Victoria Beckham, Brooklyn Beckham, 18, has spent a lot of his life in front of the camera. But his first book What I See, containing 300 images, shows his talents behind the lens, in a series of snapshots of his life through his own photographs.

Here, Brooklyn talks about his high-profile life, ambitions and goals.

What does the book — and your pictures — reveal about you?

The book really shows what kind of photography I like and what subjects I like to capture. I hope it shows my hobby has turned into a passion that I hope will one day turn into a career. These images are a snapshot of what I have experienced and seen over the past year or so.

Brooklyn Beckham from his photography book What I See. Picture: PA Photo/ Penguin Random House/Brooklyn Beckham.

Photography is your passion – but how do you feel about being constantly photographed yourself?

I carry a camera around with me absolutely everywhere, so I don’t miss a potential photographic moment. Having said that, I don’t love being photographed myself. I accept it, because I have grown up with it.

You’re now a model — do you see your career in front of, or behind, the camera — which do you prefer?

I really am not a model. I have been lucky enough to be asked to do some amazing shoots in front of the camera and, while I much prefer to be behind it, I have learned a huge amount from the photographers I have worked with. I hope to take those experiences with me as I continue to learn.

Do you ever photograph your parents — which one is easier to photograph? And do you have any favourite photos of them?

I love photographing my parents because they both have such great personalities, which are fun to capture. It’s easy to photograph them as we are so close. There’s an image of my mum fishing in Iceland in the book which I love, as it’s really a captured moment.

Brooklyn David Beckham at a Unicef football match, Old Trafford in 2015. Picture: Martin Rickett/PA

Did you ever consider a sporting career or was that a bit too close to home?

I think a lot of people assumed I would go in my dad’s direction, but I wanted to do things my own way and photography is everything to me.

How do you see your future career?

I would like to succeed as a photographer. I am going to study it further as a degree and am also taking every opportunity I can to intern for some of the great fashion photographers working in London and New York. These are opportunities I am incredibly grateful for.

What are your ambitions?

To be a good person, professionally and personally.

What I See by Brooklyn Beckham is published on June 29 by Penguin Random House UK in hardback, priced £16.99. The book will be launched with an exhibition in partnership with Polo Ralph Lauren at Christie’s 103 New Bond Street, London, on June 27, running until July 7 before moving to Los Angeles in August. Brooklyn will be doing three book signings: Manchester on June 30; Liverpool on July 1 and London on July 2.

For details visit Penguin’s Tumblr page at www.penguin-platform.tumblr.com/WhatISeeFAQs