KEEGAN ALLEN'S PASSION & SENTIMENT FOR NEW BOOK SHARED AT SPECIAL EVENT
Anderson’s Bookshop in Naperville brought teen heartthrob and “Pretty Little Liars” actor, photographer, and bestselling author, Keegan Allen, back for a personal meet and greet with his fans to reveal his latest book, Hollywood.
Allen reveals the Hollywood we see -- and the one we don't -- with a photography narrative featuring more than 250 emotionally-charged color and black and white photos. His passion and sentiment for the book was shared in an intimate interview with Glancer Magazine’s Junior Reporters.
Revealing a very sensitive side of him, Allen shared that he is extremely emotional.
“With anything that deals with other people’s lives – you know we all do this – you see other people and you immediately snap judge their lifestyle or what they are doing,” he says. “I really like snapshot photography because I’m interested in filling the frame with moments and documenting different people’s lives that I might not understand or know about, and understanding why certain people dress like they do, or walk like they do, or do the things that they do.”
Allen believes that a lot is conveyed through the eyes. One of his favorite things to do is find the vulnerability in being human and then photographing somebody when they are willing to share that.
As a Hollywood native, Allen was always encouraged by his parents to bring his camera on his adventures. His passion for photography began at 9 years old, and he has taken every class and seminar imaginable to perfect his photography skills, including online master classes with Annie Leibovitz, and taking late night walks in the deserts with profound photographers.
His latest book captures not only the beauty and glamour of the place he grew up, but also the darker side of dreams unrealized in the faces, hands, eyes, and footsteps of those who live on the fringe of celebrity. The photos are enhanced by revealing, intimate captions, lyrics, and other writing, as well as hand-drawn illustrations, exciting parodies, and iconic emulations.
The city of Naperville has also captured his eye. “I really loved the town and I love driving through,” Allen shares. “It’s like classic Americana to me and really comfortable and nice here.” He also adds that he absolutely loves the butter crust deep dish pizza at Lou Malnati’s!
Allen feels fulfilled by his performing career and the opportunity to follow his crafts outside of acting, such as photography, music, and other avenues of writing. –Kristen Kucharski with Glancer Magazine's Junior Reporters
This Interview Was Part of Glancer Magazine's 2018 Junior Reporter Interview Series. For More Information Re: this Program, Contact Us at editorial@glancermagazine.com
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About the Book
Keegan Allen, the actor, photographer, and bestselling author reveals the Hollywood we see -- and the one we don't -- with a photography narrative featuring more than 250 emotionally-charged color and black and white photos.Allen is a Hollywood native, growing up in a world that millions visit and many more imagine. With an avid fan base that follows him on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, and a busy career that includes seven years on the hit series “Pretty Little Liars” as well as films directed by James Franco and Gia Coppola, Allen also is a lifelong photographer whose first book, life.love.beauty, was a national bestseller.Now Keegan turns his eye and camera to the place he knows best. Hollywood captures the beauty and glamour of the place itself ― with unusual angles of the famous sign, the glint of sidewalk stars stamped into the entrance of the Grauman’s TCL Chinese Theater in the rain, the Chateau Marmont at twilight, secret local hideaways, red carpets and more -- but also the darker side of dreams unrealized in the faces, hands, eyes, and footsteps of those who live on the fringe of celebrity. Allen’s photos are enhanced by revealing, intimate captions, lyrics, and other writing, as well as hand-drawn illustrations, exciting parodies, and iconic emulations.
About the Author
Keegan Allen is an actor, photographer, and musician. He has starred in Freeform’s “Pretty Little Liars” since 2010 and is the national bestselling author of photographic journal life.love.beauty. In 2017 he released his first single “Million Miles Away.” He lives in Los Angeles.
About Anderson’s Bookshop
Keegan Allen’s visit is part of Anderson’s Bookshops’ calendar of special author events. Anderson’s Bookshops specialize in book sales, author events, book signings, and building a sense of community, learning and fun. The store has been helping Naperville readers for six generations. Additional locations include Downers Grove, at 5112 Main Street (630)-963-2665 and La Grange, at 26 S. La Grange Rd. (708) 582-6353. A toy shop, Anderson’s Toyshop, at 111 W. Jefferson Ave., in Naperville, opened last year. Key to Anderson’s success has been special author events, like this special program with actor and photographer Keegan Allen.
