Drew Simms isn’t just a photographer with a great eye; he’s a modern creative entrepreneur who has built a thriving business around his art. While his stunning landscape and adventure photos are what draw you in, it’s his savvy, multi-stream business model that funds his van life and expeditions. He has masterfully converted his audience on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok into a sustainable career.
So, how does Drew Simms actually make money from photography? It’s not a single paycheck. Instead, he’s built a resilient financial ecosystem where brand partnerships, direct content monetization, freelance work, and even sales of his own gear all work together. This a blueprint for how to turn a creative passion into a full-time profession.
The Foundation: Building a Loyal and Engaged Audience
Before a dollar can be made, an audience must be earned. Drew’s success is built on the back of his significant online following, including over 461,000 YouTube subscribers. His minimalist yet powerful approach to storytelling resonates deeply with a community of aspiring photographers and adventure lovers.
This dedicated audience is the most valuable asset he has. It’s the key that unlocks every income stream that follows, from ad revenue to high-value brand deals. By consistently delivering incredible content, he has created a community that trusts his recommendations and is invested in his journey.
Monetizing Content Directly Through His Platforms
Drew leverages his online platforms to generate direct revenue from the content he’s already creating. This creates a baseline of income that is consistent and grows alongside his audience.
Cashing In on Views with YouTube Ad Revenue
With hundreds of thousands of views on many of his videos, YouTube is a powerful source of income. Through the YouTube Partner Program, Drew earns money from the ads that play before and during his content. A video with 459K or 661K views doesn’t just build his brand; it generates direct, measurable revenue that helps fund the next adventure.
Earning Passive Income Through Affiliate Marketing
Beyond ad revenue, Drew uses affiliate marketing to earn commissions from the products he uses and trusts. You’ll find links in his video descriptions pointing to his gear page or to specific services he relies on, like the music licensing platform Musicbed. When a follower makes a purchase through his link, he earns a small percentage at no extra cost to them. It’s an authentic way to monetize because he is simply recommending the tools that are already integral to his work.
Collaborating with Brands for Major Partnerships
This is where a significant portion of a creator’s income often comes from. With his large and targeted audience, Drew Simms is an attractive partner for brands in the photography, outdoor, and automotive spaces. He has moved beyond simple shout-outs to creating deeply integrated sponsored content.
A prime example is his video “700+ Mile Roadtrip Across Oregon - 2025 Toyota 4Runner,” where the vehicle is the star of the adventure. These collaborations are lucrative because brands get more than just an ad; they get authentic storytelling from a trusted creator, reaching an audience that is perfectly aligned with their products.
Leveraging Core Skills: Freelance and Licensing Work
While he’s a new-media content creator, Drew hasn’t abandoned the traditional business models of photography. He actively markets his core skills as a photographer and filmmaker for hire, ensuring his income is diversified beyond social media platforms.
Offering Photography and Filmmaking Services for Hire
Drew identifies as a “freelance photographer and filmmaker,” signaling that he is available for commissioned projects. This could range from a commercial shoot for a brand to a specific filmmaking assignment. This work not only provides income but also keeps his professional skills sharp and grounded in the broader industry.
Selling the Rights to His Existing Photos and Videos
Why let a great shot sit on a hard drive? Drew actively licenses his work, allowing other businesses, publications, or agencies to purchase the rights to use his photos and videos. He makes this clear by providing a dedicated professional email (drewsimmsphotography@gmail.com) for “Licensing & Business Inquiries,” making it easy for potential clients to connect and do business with him.
The Unconventional Stream: Selling High-Value Personal Assets
One of the most innovative ways Drew has monetized his brand is by selling high-value assets directly to his audience. He once listed his iconic, fully customized Jeep Wrangler for sale for $35,000 in a YouTube community post.
Think about it: he spent years building a story around that vehicle, making it a central character in his adventures. By doing so, he also built its value and created a perfect marketplace within his own audience—people who understood and appreciated the vehicle’s story and custom modifications. This is a masterclass in turning the tools of your trade into a monetizable asset.
The Blueprint for the Modern Photographer
Drew Simms’ career proves that making money from photography in the digital age is about more than just selling prints. It’s about building a brand, fostering a community, and creating a diverse portfolio of income streams. Each revenue source—from YouTube ads and affiliate links to major brand deals and freelance gigs—complements the others, creating a stable and scalable business. For aspiring creators, his journey is a powerful lesson: your audience is your foundation, and your creativity is the key to unlocking a multitude of ways to get paid for your passion.