About Joel
👋 Hello! My name is Joel.
I'm a husband, father, AVL systems integrator, and digital nomad.
I've been married to Sarah for 19 years.
We have 3 boys: Canon (15), Sayer (13), and Ari (8).
For more than 24 years, I worked in professional broadcast television, film, and corporate video production.
I started my career as a freelance ENG and live camera operator for major television networks like ABC, FOX Sports, and Speed Channel.
I quickly moved to other roles including jib/crane operator, editor, technical director, and director.
I also created films and videos for many organizations ranging from multi-camera productions to cinematic documentaries and storytelling throughout 25 different countries.
Fore more than a decade I have also consulted one-on-one with hundreds of organizations to help them build better systems and create more compelling content.
This career has allowed me to meet incredible people, help tell powerful stories, and see some amazing places. It's pretty easy to say I love what I do!
That leads to now.
I wanted my family to get those same opportunities.
So, 4 years ago our family sold our home in Texas to travel full-time.
Our vision for traveling is simple...
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.”
We want more experiences with different people, cultures, and places in order to learn and grow.
We're currently traveling across North America in our RV.
Traveling has given me freedom to do what I love while seeing this beautiful world with my family and meeting incredible people along the way.
Now, I use my professional experiences and skillset as a full-service AVL integrator.
I help organizations build better audio, video, and lighting systems and create compelling environments.
Most of all, I enjoy helping others tell better stories and reach more people with their message.
Let's make something great together!
How I Choose Products
Accuracy
In addition to my first-hand experience with products on this site, I spend countless hours poring over user manuals, data sheets, tech specs, and user reviews. My content is periodically fact-checked and reviewed to ensure the information provided is accurate, fair, and up to date.
Over the last 26 years I've had thousands of hours of hands-on experience with a vast array of equipment in broadcast television, corporate production, and international filmmaking environments.
And, for the last decade, I've run this website and provided advice, training, and consulting to hundreds of individuals and organizations covering all aspects of production and gear.
Simply put, I live this information. And I form my opinions from a wide variety of experiences, not just personal anecdotes.
I take every recommendation seriously. Every product and article receives exhaustive research and, usually, hours of hands-on experience before making it to this site. I'm passionate about connecting you with the very best gear and information to meet your needs.
Best Overall Pick
The product that meets the needs for the most situations.
Sometimes it can be the cheapest option in the category. Sometimes it can be the most expensive option in the category. However, most of the time it falls into a sweet spot somewhere in the middle.
Value Pick
Another product that could easily switch places with the Top Pick and still make sense.
You could also think of this as 1st place in a different race rather than 2nd place in the same race with the Top Pick.
Budget Pick
"Bang for the buck" is the key idea here.
This is the least expensive product that still meets, or exceeds, my personal standards for quality, features, and reliability.
However, that doesn't mean these are the cheapest options available. I don't attach my reputation to a product simply because it's a few bucks less.
The budget pick is always a product I will personally use and trust for my projects.
Please understand - if a product is not listed on this site and it is cheaper than the budget pick, then there is usually a good reason why it is not mentioned.
I'm always happy to consider additions and alternatives, though. So don't hesitate to reach out with questions or recommendations if you believe there is a product I have missed or should include on my site.
Premium Pick
A product considered to be the crème de la crème of its category.
Definitely not the cheapest, but worth every penny.
It's hard to go wrong with this pick if it fits your budget.
Honorable Mention Picks
These are products I can't ignore or leave out.
They may not be a great fit for a majority of readers, but they may be just what some readers need.
Editorial Independence
I've never been given any free products, services or any other form of compensation by any companies in exchange for mentioning them or their products. I only promote products and services that I personally use and trust.
Affiliate Disclosure
I believe in transparency.
Therefore, I'm disclosing that I include products and links to those products on this site and that I may earn an affiliate commission for any purchases you make.
The purpose of this site is to help educate you, but understand I'm also doing this as a for-profit business.
Because this site continues to grow, you should assume that any links on this site leading to products or services are affiliate links from which I will receive compensation.
As always, there is no extra cost to you when you purchase through affiliate links on this site. I simply make a small commission from the sale.
This site (joelwsmith.com) and my community (community.joelwsmith.com) are also participants in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Your Privacy
I take my trusted relationship with my readers seriously, and therefore maintain a strict privacy policy.