EXCLUSIVE Brooklyn Beckham: 'I understand why there are preconceptions about me'

Brooklyn Beckham might only be 18 years old but he has already achieved more than most teenagers could even dream of, securing front covers of magazines, modelling photoshoots, and even his own photography book, ‘What I See’.

The oldest son of original celebrity power couple David and Victoria Beckham, Brooklyn has a lot to prove as he prepares to carve a career for himself – something that he is all too aware of in our exclusive chat with the teen star.

Without even a whiff of ego or entitlement, Brooklyn is undeniably humble as he admits that he has been incredibly “lucky” to have the opportunities that he has had at such a young age.

Speaking exclusively to Yahoo Celeb UK, Brooklyn told us that he hopes people will get on board with his new venture, explaining: “I know there are a lot of preconceptions about me associated with my name, and that’s understandable.

“I’m a bit nervous but I think anyone would be. I hope with this book and with the photographs I’ve been taking over the past few years people will see that I really do genuinely love it.

“The title says it all – it really is a snapshot into what I see.”

Brooklyn went on to reveal exactly how he fell into the world of photography, telling us that even though he has already achieved a pretty huge career milestone with his book he still has plans to continue studying.

He shares: “When I moved back to London I was looking at my GCSE options and photography really stood out.

“My dad had bought me a camera and I started using it and realised how much I love the whole process – from taking the pictures to editing and developing – and I just started taking photos the whole time.

“I have just been really unbelievably lucky to have been given this opportunity to publish a book and have an exhibition [at Christies, Mayfair]. I didn’t go seeking it and so now I plan to carry on with my studies and work experience.

“I am going to study photography in New York and I have been doing intern work for some of the most inspiring fashion photographers.”

And despite dabbling with modelling in the past, Brooklyn is adamant that he wants to remain firmly behind the camera in the future, adding: “I much prefer being behind the camera.

“I’ve learnt a huge amount from the shoots I’ve been lucky enough to do in front of the camera with some incredible photographers but I love taking photos.

“Composing the image, controlling the creative – I want to be a photographer, not a model.”

And with Brooklyn’s younger brother Romeo, 14, modelling for Burberry in the past, and 12-year-old Cruz releasing a charity Christmas single last year, is there any sibling rivalry between the Beckham brothers?

“We are really close, there’s no rivalry at all,” Brooklyn tells us, “Especially as we all have different interests.”

Speaking about his entire family, including his parents and five-year-old sister Harper, the teen continues: “We just have a lot of fun together.

“The six of us hang out a lot.”

Something that is incredibly clear to see in Brooklyn’s book, with his family featuring in many of the never-before-seen photographs as the star recounts the heartwarming stories behind the images.

Our chat with Brooklyn comes amid a wave of criticism, with Brooklyn’s book becoming the subject of ridicule online when a journalist leaked some of the images last week.

Brooklyn declined to personally comment on the backlash but Francesca Dow, Managing Director of Penguin Random House Children’s, defended the star in a statement, saying: “‘What I See‘ is a book for teenagers, by a teenager, which gives Brooklyn’s fans broader insight into his world seen through his unique and creative perspective.

“Teenagers’ lives are filled with the visual image and we know Brooklyn’s photos resonate with his huge young following, who avidly follow his life through his photography. We are proud to bring these images together in a book for a young generation for the first time.

“At Penguin Random House we publish a wide range of voices for all kinds of readers.”

And with this book being just the first step in Brooklyn’s photography career, we’re sure that he’ll have the critics eating their words in no time.

‘What I See’ by Brooklyn Beckham will be published on 29th June by Penguin Random House UK, priced £16.99.

To celebrate publication Brooklyn will be meeting fans at three book signings; Manchester on 30th June, Liverpool on 1st July and London on 2nd July.

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