Drew Smith was driving to a final job interview, picturing a future life that didn’t include photography.
The rosy picture in his mind was that of small-town Montana—a good job at the power company, a nice truck, a wife. Maybe a couple of kids running around. 

There were no imposing rock walls, no month-long expeditions, and no financial uncertainty. There were definitely no years spent living in a van. 

Over the phone, a family acquaintance at the company had gone on and on about how stable of a career it was, perfect for a young guy like Smith. 

“You’ll be retired by the time you’re 50,” he had said.

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