How to reduce the number of http requests for images in express.js

I'm building sites with express.js and I'm using png and svg images. The single largest source of http requests on my site are my images. What I can do is inline my svg, and base64 encode and inline my pngs. This works on the browsers I need to support for the most part. The only down side is that I have to redo it every time I add an image. Is there any way to automate the process? Where can I learn more about writing my own build steps etc?

Thanks!