The 5 Biggest Controversies Surrounding Brooklyn Beckham's Photography Book, 'What I See'

Despite being published back in 2017, Brooklyn Beckham’s debut photography book, What I See, continues to be a lightning rod for debate and viral criticism today, December 12, 2025. The book, a collection of 300 personal snapshots taken by the eldest son of David and Victoria Beckham, was intended to be a glimpse into his life through his own lens, but instead sparked a fierce discussion about privilege, talent, and celebrity nepotism in the publishing world.

The controversy surrounding What I See is not just about the quality of the images; it’s about the access and the platform afforded to the 18-year-old at the time by a major publisher, Penguin Random House. This deep dive explores the book's contents, the critical backlash it received, and the current state of Brooklyn's creative career, including recent rumors of a new, potentially explosive memoir with his wife, Nicola Peltz Beckham.

Brooklyn Beckham: A Comprehensive Profile and Career Timeline

Brooklyn Joseph Peltz Beckham is an English media personality who has pursued careers in modeling, photography, and, most recently, cooking. His life has been under the international spotlight since birth due to his famous parents, former footballer David Beckham and fashion designer/former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham.

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• Full Name: Brooklyn Joseph Peltz Beckham
• Date of Birth: March 4, 1999
• Place of Birth: London, England
• Parents: David Beckham and Victoria Beckham
• Spouse: Nicola Peltz Beckham (m. 2022)
• Siblings: Romeo Beckham, Cruz Beckham, Harper Beckham
• Notable Career Phases:
  • Modeling: Began modeling in 2014, appearing in magazines like Vogue China, L'Uomo Vogue, and campaigns for brands like Burberry.
  • Photography: Released the controversial photography book What I See in 2017. He also shot a campaign for Burberry. He briefly studied at Parsons School of Design in New York.
  • Cooking: Transitioned to a culinary focus, launching the social media cooking show Cookin' with Brooklyn and releasing his own brand of hot sauce.
• Education: Attended Parsons School of Design (briefly).

The Genesis and Content of the 'What I See' Photography Book

Brooklyn Beckham’s entry into the literary world was marked by his 2017 photography collection, What I See. The book was published when he was just 18 years old, positioning him as a burgeoning young artist with a unique perspective.

The book’s content is a highly personal collection of 300 photographs, offering a "series of snapshots of his life." These images cover various subjects, including his famous family—David, Victoria, Romeo, Cruz, and Harper—as well as his travels and self-portraits.

Each chapter in the hardcover book is designed to tell a different story through his pictures, often accompanied by short, simple captions written by Brooklyn himself. The publisher, Penguin Random House, marketed it as a glimpse into the world through the eyes of a young, budding photographer.

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The images range from candid shots of his parents to landscapes and still-life photos. For example, one controversial photo is a blurry image of the Beckham family enjoying a dinner, which was intended to capture a moment of familial intimacy. The book was also published by Rizzoli New York in the US.

The Five Major Controversies That Plague 'What I See'

The release of What I See was met with immediate, widespread criticism—a reaction that was arguably more intense than the book’s content itself. The backlash stemmed from several key issues that critics and the public latched onto, leading to its viral status as a symbol of celebrity privilege.

1. The Nepotism and Privilege Debate

The single biggest point of contention was the issue of "celebrity spawn" or nepotism. Critics argued that Brooklyn, who was only 18, would never have received a major publishing deal with Penguin Random House without the immense fame and influence of his parents, David and Victoria Beckham. This argument suggested that his platform was unearned, overshadowing the work of countless more experienced and formally trained photographers.

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2. The Quality of Photography

Many professional photographers and art critics were unimpressed with the technical quality of the photographs. Several images were blurry, poorly lit, or compositionally weak, leading to viral mockery on social media. One of the most famous examples is a photo of an elephant with the caption: "Elephants in Kenya. So hard to photograph but incredible to see." Critics pointed out the irony of the caption versus the photo's technical shortcomings.

3. The Simplistic and Vague Captions

The captions accompanying the photographs were frequently cited in reviews as being overly simplistic, adding little to the artistic merit of the work. Examples included phrases like "Dinner with my family" or "A simple flower." This element fueled the narrative that the book lacked depth and serious artistic intention.

4. The Shift to a Culinary Career

Brooklyn’s subsequent public shift from photography to cooking, with his social media show Cookin' with Brooklyn, inadvertently added to the controversy. Critics saw this career pivot as evidence that his photography venture, and the book itself, was merely a fleeting, privileged experiment rather than a serious, long-term artistic commitment. His culinary attempts have also faced public criticism, continuing the cycle of scrutiny.

5. The Mixed Critical Reception

While some reviews defended Brooklyn, praising his youthful perspective and his willingness to put his work out there, the overall critical consensus was poor. The book received mixed-to-negative ratings on platforms like Goodreads, where it currently holds a low average rating. This division created a polarized public discourse, with some defending the young artist and others slamming the publisher for capitalizing on celebrity status.

The Future: From Photography to a Potential Tell-All Memoir?

While What I See remains Brooklyn Beckham’s only published book to date, recent reports suggest a dramatic shift in his literary ambitions. Current buzz, circulating as of late 2024 and early 2025, indicates that Brooklyn and his wife, Nicola Peltz Beckham, are considering writing a joint memoir.

This rumored "new book" is allegedly inspired by the success of other celebrity tell-alls and is speculated to focus on the alleged rift between Nicola and the Beckham family, particularly Victoria Beckham. Sources suggest that the couple is ready to "lift the lid" on the family dynamics and the tensions that reportedly intensified following their April 2022 wedding.

If true, this new venture would mark a complete departure from the visual focus of What I See, moving into the highly sensitive and potentially explosive realm of personal memoir. The speculation about a tell-all book has kept Brooklyn's name in the publishing spotlight, proving that even years after its release, his first book remains a starting point for discussions about his career, his family, and the power of celebrity influence.