mrniceguy715 wrote in post #17059562
There are a lot of cool cars in Oklahoma but I never seem to meet any of the owners. I would like to get some photos of some exotics or some high performance classic cars. Most of the folks that show up for cars and coffee are pretty snobby or have slightly boring cars. When I go to the car shows the most interesting cars with nice owner are from out of town. I am a member of a Nissan group and a mazda group as I am an owner of those vehicles but would like to shoot something besides drift cars, sport compacts, and half trac prepped Miatas.
My question to you guys is where should I look for networking opportunities to meet some people willing to let me photograph their pride and joy?
I also go to car shows, and my experience wih the car owners has been entirely different than yours. When I chat with the car owners, they're so enthusiastic about their vehicles that they don't want to stop talking about them. They're always willing to share the stories of how they acquired their vehicles and how much time and effort the conversion and restoration took.
Frankly, there's a major hint that part of your problem is of your own cause. It's when you write "slightly boring cars." From having attended many car shows over the years, I've learned there are no boring cars. Some vehicles may be less expensive or exclusive than others, but all have their own special properties. If you look at the years of car images accumulated on this forum, you'll find that talented photographers have brought out the beauty and elegance of exotic autos just as well as the most prosaic production cars, regardless of cost or origin.
I'd suggest making two changes in your attitude. First, develop a sincere interest in all of the cars and owners you meet at shows. The use of the phrase "slightly boring cars" indicates you're projecting an open disdain toward some vehicles at cars shows, and that's reflected by what you interpret as a "snobby" attitude. This can be explained by the tendency of many hobby photographers to operate in isolation and need to control what they encounter. Often developing social skills are more difficult for photographers than technical skills. What you need to do is to learn how to project a smooth curiosity toward car owners and learn how to engage them in conversations that are about the owners and not about you.
Of course, this is easier said than done. There's no fast or easy way to convert to an outgoing gregarious personality overnight. However, the first step in that direction is to spend more time in a conversation listening than talking.
The correct attitude toward owners at car shows will create many opportunities. Let then chat about their toys, then gently inquire about setting up a session.
