Dave is a part-time vanlifer and travel photographer

Dave Adriaanse
3 February 2025
8 minutes reading time

The standard 9-to-5 life? That has never been for me. Ever since I was a teenager I knew I had to find my own way. I’m Dave Adriaanse, photographer, travel blogger and maybe you know me from the program Onderweg naar Liefde on NPO 3. This is my story about how I pursue my own dreams and discover the world through my lens.

How it all began

During the Corona pandemic, my life was turned upside down. As an event photographer, organizer of my own events and project coordinator, I lost all my work in one fell swoop. As if that wasn’t enough, my cat Gus tragically died and my relationship of 7 years ended. These were dark times, but that period also gave me the opportunity to start over. During this time, my other cat, Tommie, was my emotional support animal.

A highlight of that period? A road trip to Étretat with two good friends, Justin and Ian. We were there to create content, each with his own camera, full of energy and passion. Everything fell into place: all three of us are photo and videographers, each with our own expertise. Justin has a marketing background, Ian is a graphic designer and I have a communications background. The idea for ScenicRoute.com was born, and from that moment I knew: this is what I want to do.

That trip to Étretat was more than just content creation. It was a rediscovery of my passion and a reminder of how powerful collaboration is.

vanlifer Dave Adriaanse  photographer Dave on a cliff at Etretat cat of Dave in window frame

Life as a part-time vanlifer

I am a part-time vanlifer, and that means the best of both worlds. I have a lovely owner-occupied home that I can always return to, but my campervan is my ultimate escape. This one is fully equipped to be off-grid: solar panels, a water tank with boiler for an outdoor shower, a kitchenette, refrigerator and even a toilet. Everything I need to live independently wherever I travel.

The RV offers me unprecedented freedom. A day often begins with the doors open to a vast landscape, the sun rising and the sound of nature around me. Whether I am in the Dolomites or the Picos de Europa, each place inspires me anew. Those moments when you wake up and the world seems to stand still make everything worthwhile.

bus fromlife Dave  vanlife Dave on his way to the beach with camper mountains with setting sun in Picos de Europa

But things are not always rosy. Setbacks come with the territory. A dead battery, a broken lamp, you name it. It’s important to be prepared. I recommend that everyone have a financial pot behind them for emergencies, and bring good equipment like a jump starter and tool kit. Breakdown assistance coverage for Europe is also not a luxury.

Photography: my passion and work

Photography means everything to me. The moment I pick up my camera, I disappear into my own world. It’s as if the rest of the world takes a break while I focus completely on that one perfect image. From wild nature to portraits, every image tells a story.

With Scenic Route, we inspire others to make their dreams come true. Be it travel, photography or creative entrepreneurship. With our blogs, we try to encourage everyone to go out on their own. I also create photo and video content for companies in the travel industry, which is an important part of my work.

My fondest memories? Capturing images at sunrise or just during a breathtaking sunset. The light is all-important for a good photograph, it brings depth, atmosphere and color to every image. Beforehand, I research where the sun rises or sets and plan everything so that the light falls perfectly. That moment when the landscape awakens or slowly sinks into rest is magical. And when you can share those moments with others, whether friends or someone you met along the way, it makes the experience even more beautiful. That careful planning and attention to light ensure that I always get the most out of my work.

What appeals to me most about photography is the ability to tell a story without words. Every image I create is a piece of my journey, both physical and personal. It’s great to see people being touched by my work and inspired to go on the road themselves.

Dave on the beach  Dave during a sunset hike in lanzarote wildlife at a mountain in Bulgaria

Lessons and dreams

The path I have chosen has not always been easy. Setbacks, as I have experienced before in my personal life, have taught me the importance of perseverance. My biggest tip? Make sure you are doing something that makes your heart beat faster. Only then will you persevere, even in the more difficult moments.

During my travels, I have learned to be flexible and adapt to unexpected situations. The weather changes, plans get messed up, but that’s part of it. It is precisely those unexpected twists and turns that lead to the most beautiful memories or moments of inspiration that spur you on to pursue your passion further.

views of the mountains of Picos de Europa starry sky over the mountains

Big plans are on the agenda for 2025. My campervan, which is still under construction, I want to complete. In addition, with Scenic Route we want to continue to inspire others through our travel blogs, photography and tips on creative entrepreneurship. We are currently setting up Scenic Route Academy, a platform through which we share our knowledge and help others realize their dreams.And as we look beyond 2025? Then we will continue to inspire people to travel, photograph and pursue their passions. Who knows, we might even organize photography trips in the future! The sky is the limit, or rather, up to the stars and beyond!

Financial balance: how I approach it

“How do you manage to have a house to buy, build a campervan and travel as well?” It’s a question I get asked often, and truth be told: it takes a fair amount of planning, perseverance and creativity.

The basis of my income is photography assignments in the Netherlands. In addition, in the summer I am often on the road for travel agencies to create photo and video content. Sometimes I travel by campervan, but also regularly by plane. These assignments are not only an important source of income, but also give me the opportunity to combine my passion for travel and photography. I also offer my photographs through print-on-demand platforms, which provides a steady stream of passive income. This passive income is essential because it gives me the flexibility to keep traveling.

With Scenic Route, we target both private and corporate customers. For individuals, we offer a huge amount of free content through our inspiring blogs, in which we also incorporate affiliate links. We also offer digital products and courses for those looking for more depth. For corporate clients, such as companies in the travel industry, we create high-quality photo and video content of professional quality. We only work with companies we have an affinity with and that fit the values of our brand. In addition, we like to think along with them about marketing and communication strategies to achieve even greater reach and impact.

My buying home also plays an important role in my financial strategy. It is not only my permanent home, but also a smart investment in the future. Although combining a purchase home with travel and an RV comes with costs, it is achievable by making conscious choices and always keeping a buffer behind for unforeseen expenses.

As you can see, my income does not come from a single stream, but from a diversity of sources. This is deliberately arranged this way, because this approach offers me not only stability, but also the flexibility to combine my adventurous lifestyle with my professional ambitions. In this way, I have a solid foundation. This ensures that I am resilient to unexpected situations and always have the freedom to plan new projects and trips.

sunset surfing hiking in the mountains

Freedom, adventure and balance

Life as a part-time vanlifer and photographer is a unique balance between freedom and structure. Sometimes I spend days on the road, and other times I work from home post-processing photos and writing blogs. That balance keeps it exciting. What I never want to give up is the freedom my RV gives me. The idea that I can leave for a new destination at any time is priceless. That freedom inspires me to take on new adventures and broaden my horizons each time.

So, what’s holding you back? The adventure is waiting for you. Pick it up and make it your own story. Maybe we’ll meet somewhere on a deserted mountain road, with the sun slowly disappearing behind the horizon. It’s time to explore, the world is waiting for you!

Want to follow me on my adventures and see more of my work? Check out my socials:
Personal Instagram: @Dave_adrian
Scenic Route Instagram and TikTok: @Scenicroute.travel
Vanlife Instagram and TikTok: @Scenicroute.vanlife

More remote work experiences from digital nomads

Van kunstenaar naar digital nomad in een camperbusje

Home is where you park it

Back to overview

X