Hello klr_hill,
If you are using a Mac and iCloud, then we'd use the iCloud Photos feature instead of using iCloud Drive to save the photos. You can choose to not optimize storage, so the photos are stored on the Mac. That way, you won't have to download them each time. Doing this, does store them on the drive, so you will take more device storage. You can follow these steps to set it up: Set up and use iCloud Photos Paying close attention to this section:
Turn on Optimize Storage
iCloud Photos keeps all your photos and videos in their original, high-resolution version. To save storage space on your device, you can turn on Optimize Storage.
If you turn on Optimize Storage, iCloud Photos automatically manages the size of your library on your device. Your original photos and videos are stored in iCloud and space-saving versions are kept on your device. Your library is optimized only when you need space, starting with the photos and videos you access least. You can download the original photos and videos over Wi-Fi or cellular when you need them.
If you turn on Download Originals, iCloud Photos keeps your original, full-resolution photos and videos in iCloud and on your device.
*Instead of enabling Optimized Storage, you'd want to disable it, so the photos are stored on the Mac itself.
In case you'd like to clean up your Mac's storage: Free up storage space on your Mac
Let us know if that helps out.
Cheers.
