Is it worth investing in good photography of your AV installations? "Absolutely," says Gina Lauria, director of marketing for Crestron and former marketing manager at HB Communications. "Once you get a good photo, it's worth its weight in gold." Lauria, Paul Baumeister of residential integrator Baumeister Electronic Architects, and Draper's Penny Sitler share their thoughts on AV systems photography: What makes a good systems photo What you should expect to pay for photography Vendor co-op and support Tips for shooting your own images Using the photos: PR placements, brochures and more Read "Installation Photography" from Sound & Video Contractor

Several of my customers have tried to shoot their own systems photos, but they have bumped into problems with color, composition, and capturing projected screen images. Even those who have hired photographers have often had the same problems. In response, I wrote a piece for Sound & Video Contractor with explanations of how I shot several systems photos. I hope it will help you with equipment issues, composition, white balance, exposure, controlling distortion, and shooting screen images. Read "Shooting your own AV systems photos" from SVC

When people ask me how to go about shooting their own AV sytems photos, I encourage them to learn to work with available light. Yet there certainly are times when it's best to bring in your own lighting. I'd like to offer some advice for those shooting their own systems images: The argument for available light Working in rooms with windows Adding to existing light Lighting equipment Color issues Read "Available lighting vs. photographic lighting" by Don Kreski

Here are a few commercial and residential photo shoots you may find instructive (all shot by Kreski Marketing): Butcher condo for AMX Discovery World for Lewis Sound & Video Professionals The yacht Blue Moon for AMX Marengo High School for Sound Vision Lambeau Field for Sharp and SPL Calamos Investments for SPL Trizec Properties for Continental Electrical Construction South Milwaukee High School for Lewis Sound & Video See additional AV industry photography by Kreski Marketing