Your display is a working reference while it is still installed. Once the props are stacked and the cables are in tubs, the details become much harder to remember. Take a few deliberate photos before teardown and turn this year's successful setup into next year's starting point.
Take photos that answer real setup questions
Start with a wide photo of each display area. Then move closer to show the mounting arrangement, cable route and connection labels. A beautiful nighttime picture is useful for show design, but a clear daytime photo usually tells you more about how the installation actually goes together.
- Photograph each section from the front so its position and orientation are clear.
- Capture the back of props where wiring and mounting details are visible.
- Photograph controller output labels and the cables connected to them without opening energized equipment.
- Record unusual adapters, extension routes and any installation detail that took time to solve.
- Add a short note when a photo alone does not explain the arrangement.
Connect the photos to your storage system
Use names you will recognize next season, such as Left Windows, Front Arches or Tree Controller. Give the matching storage container the same name. Keep the photos with your show notes so they remain useful even if you change phones.
Record what needs attention before you pack it away. Mark damaged or questionable items separately from tested equipment. Follow the product's storage instructions and let wet components dry appropriately before storing them.
Next year, use these photos as a reference, then check the current condition and instructions before reinstalling. A previous installation is not proof that every mounting point or component is still suitable.
Mattos tip: Photograph the details you would otherwise have to figure out again: orientation, mounting, wiring and labels.
Keep learning
Read the full Mattos guide · Browse all Tips and Tricks
Adapted from the Mattos Designs lighting-tip series. Need help with your setup? Email Support@Mattosdesigns.com with your equipment details.
