Best of Whitefish: Local photographer Drew Silvers a ‘yes man’

Flathead Valley born and raised photographer Drew Silvers, 30, has won the Best of Whitefish local photographer category for the fourth year.  

Silvers got his first camera in college in Bozeman nine years ago.  

It was a Sony A6300.  

“Intermediate, affordable, but nice,” he said. “Lightweight so I could take it on road trips and hikes." 

And so, the “dirt-bagging” and experimenting with camera settings in the outdoors began. 

He earned a degree in early childhood education and childhood services, but he also got a bit of early photography training from “YouTube university” and friends along the way, he said.  

Silvers moved back to Whitefish about five years ago and began building up a portfolio of portraiture while full-time “mannying,” he said.  

He took a leap of faith and became a full-time photographer two years ago.  

His first business shoot in Whitefish was for Love Yoga.  

Now, he’s a go-to photographer for many Whitefish businesses and recently partnered with Explore Whitefish to shoot photos of local restaurants. 

He got to where he is today by saying yes.  

“I say yes to every opportunity that’s come my way, and that’s how I’ve developed my craft.  

“And I’m a people person. I love my day-to-day being different. One day I could be doing corporate headshots, the next I could be doing a CrossFit competition, the next I could be shooting up on the mountain.”  

But his true “bread and butter is outdoor adventure photography,” he said.  

“I bought that camera in college to take pictures of friends hiking and skiing, and now I have landed a couple of jobs like that. Shooting next year’s product line for Scott has been my big shoot this year.”  

Silvers focuses on movement while documenting the outdoors.  

“Action just adds that little bit of spice to a photograph that allows the viewer to experience a moment, feel the energy and connect with the story,” he said.  

Versatility is another value of his.  

“I started saying yes to video work a while back – it's been a blast and new creative learning curve,” he said. “I also have my FAA drone license. Drone work is like being a kid again and driving a remote-control car.”  

Silvers said he credits his fiancée’s support throughout the freelance grind.  

“I am so grateful for the experiences my camera has given me, the places I have seen, the memories I have made, and most importantly the people I have had the pleasure of meeting,” he said.