Green Day. Photo Credit: Frank Maddocks.

Dear Billie, Mike, Tre, and Jason,

I hope that this message reaches you well. Based on the Instagram post that came up in my feed a little while ago, you are in the middle of your 'Revolution Radio' World Tour on the other side of the world. I wish you guys a successful tour.

Oh right, I have to introduce myself. Hi! My name is Jared Stossel. I'm a musician, writer, podcaster, and (important for the purpose of this message) a music photographer here in the San Francisco Bay Area. Oakland, to be more specific. I had a question that I wanted to ask you guys, to put things simply. Here it goes:

In March of 2010, I stepped into a photo pit for a concert at The Regency Ballroom in San Francisco, forever changing my life (I know, I know....dramatic. But it really did!) Since that night at The Regency Ballroom, I've photographed hundreds and hundreds of shows over the past seven years and turned my work into an outlet here in the Bay Area, called Shameless Promotions & Media. I've obtained photo and working passes to events that I could only have dreamed of photographing, capturing the art that is an epic live music performance.

You have been my favorite band since I was in sixth grade. For all intents and purposes, you were the one that started everything for me. By that, I mean you started my journey down the rabbit hole of rock music. Without you guys, I would have never had the guts to pick up a guitar, a pair of drum sticks, a bass, or even summoned up the courage to sing in public. For that, I thank you. I'll stop trying to deliver a soliloquy and continue onwards....

The purpose of this long-winded message is to ask a simple question: I'd like to ask if I could photograph one of your upcoming shows here in Oakland. Specifically, the stadium show you'll be doing on August 5th at the Oakland Coliseum.

Now, let me explain why I'm writing this as opposed to requesting a pass through a PR team (who by the way, have been really awesome and super kind to me in the past, and always are!) You see, from the seven years I've been photographing, I've learned that the larger shows (arenas, stadiums, etc.) grant photo access to one of two types of photographers: those with an image service (Getty, WireImage, for example), or those with a local or national periodical (newspapers, local magazines in the Bay Area like The Metro). I have no beef or opposition to any of these mediums; I've met many wonderful photographers that work for these kinds of outlets that are making a living. It's just that those outlets have a higher numbers when it comes to circulation and page views. I have a decent following with this outlet, but nowhere near the millions that these outlets are drawing in.

The thing is, I've always wanted to do my own thing. I have my heart set on building my own outlet and I'm very intent on it. If there is ever something that I am truly passionate about, I stick with it. In this instance, I am extremely passionate about wanting to photograph your show, and capturing the live elements and moments of a full-on Green Day show. I've seen Bullet In A Bible far too many times; I know what you guys are able to do in a stadium and how crazy it can get! I'd love to make this dream a reality.

If approved, I would do this on my own time, the first three songs, no flash, from the photo pit (as per usual with any concert in this setting). Your band can keep any and all photos from the event. All I ask is that I can post them here and share the gallery to my social media with my photo credit.

I'm going to include a few of my favorite live music shots I've captured in the past, but you can view all of my collective work by checking out the page here.

Hope we can work something out. If not, I completely understand and still love you dudes. Regardless, I'm still buying a ticket and can't wait to see the show you guys have in store.

See you in the pit.

With kind regards,
Jared Stossel

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