Cultivate the right photography skills.
While a textbook may teach you the theoretical aspects, learning things practically makes the most impact. You can do this by taking lots of photographs, reasearch, and gaining experience. Experienced auto photographers, for example, usually charge a much higher fee than others, but when starting out you should have a much lower fee to nun for exposure.
Attend car meets and chat with owners.
This is a great way to build your portfolio and network with potential clients. The best way is to simple walk up to a car owner and ask to take pictures of their vehicle the worst the can say is no , which will rarely ever happen. Also asking for their social handle is a great way to network your images more!
Create a portfolio website or social media page to showcase your work.
This will serve as your first point of contact with clients. Keep the design of the website or social media page simple and have a way they can contact you.
Apply for jobs as a dealership photographer.
The primary qualifications for getting a job as a dealership photographer are a professional-grade camera and some photography experience.
Consider formal photography training.
This can help you learn the technical aspects of photography and improve your skills. You can also take online courses or attend workshops.
Organize and publish your portfolio.
This is important for showcasing your work to potential clients. You can also seek car photography freelance gigs
Keep practicing and learning.
The more you practice, the better you'll become. Keep up with the latest trends and techniques in automotive photography to stay ahead of the competition.
When it comes to who to reach out to, you can start by networking with owners. You can also reach out to dealerships, car manufacturers, clubs and automotive magazines to see if they have any photography needs. Building relationships with clients is key to growing your business as an automotive photographer.