landscape lighting Archives - Lite Visions- Landscape Lighting Experts Raleigh NC

As I traveled the world with bands, I realized that I could design lighting that illuminates beautiful architecture and gardens

Posted on June 6, 2025June 6, 2025 by admin in Landscape Lighting, Outdoor Lighting

As I traveled the world with bands, I realized that I could design lighting that illuminates beautiful architecture and gardens. This revelation came to me gradually, as I spent countless nights setting up and programming complex lighting systems for concerts across different venues. First, I had to appreciate the soul of architectural features and garden and landscape designs, which meant developing a deeper understanding of how light interacts with different surfaces, textures, and natural elements. The more I started looking at these amazing spaces on my travels, from arboretums to old world architecture and art deco theatres, I saw many of these amazing buildings and garden areas illuminated in the evenings during my travels in European cities. The way light danced across historic facades, highlighted intricate architectural details, and brought gardens to life after sunset left an indelible impression on me. I decided that if I ever stopped touring with bands, I would look into designing and installing such beautiful soft lighting myself, combining my technical expertise with this newfound passion for architectural and landscape illumination.

In 2001, during a tour with the band 3 Doors Down, I had the opportunity to meet a gentleman who owned a company in California called Nightscaping when I was searching for landscape lighting for my own residence. Bill invited me to visit his factory on an off day, an invitation that would prove to be a pivotal moment in my professional journey. I spent 2 days learning about the nuances of low voltage landscape lighting, and as this was the old halogen days, there was a lot to learn, including voltage drop, proper planning, as well as fixture placements and lamp types. This intensive crash course opened my eyes to the technical complexities and artistic possibilities of landscape lighting, reinforcing my desire to eventually transition into this field.

Jump ahead to 2017 when I stopped touring and decided to open my landscape lighting firm in Raleigh, NC, and design and install outdoor lighting full time. This took a bit of planning, a website, and a few things, and Lite Visions Landscape Lighting Inc was officially opened in Raleigh, NC, in May 2018. The months leading up to the launch were filled with intensive preparation and market research. I did a lot of research in the Raleigh area to see lighting jobs and see what was wrong and right with the systems I saw installed. This hands-on investigation revealed both common mistakes and missed opportunities in existing installations. Coming from my stage and concert lighting background, I wanted to do it not only correctly, but also help my potential clients see the difference in what and why I designed my outdoor lighting systems the way I do, incorporating principles from my years of experience in entertainment lighting.

I went to a outdoor lighting conference and met who I felt were the top handful of outdoor landscape and architectural lighting designers in the USA. These industry leaders shared invaluable insights and experiences that helped shape my approach to landscape lighting. I felt fortunate to be entering the industry with my background as a stage lighting technician and designer, and those people helped me to see that it would indeed give me a niche with my landscape lighting clients in the Raleigh, NC area. The conference proved to be an incredible networking opportunity. It was so amazing to spend a few days and learn from the best in the industry, and I was so humbled that they all told me to call if I ever needed any advice down the road. Their generosity in sharing knowledge and offering ongoing support was truly remarkable. I received a wealth of information from them and soon had landscape lighting manufacturers contacting me about possibly using their products, recognizing the unique perspective I brought to the field.

After careful consideration and testing many products, I narrowed it down to a few of the best fixtures, connectors, and cable available to the professional landscape lighting industry. This selection process involved rigorous testing and evaluation to ensure only the highest quality materials would be used in my installations. I am so fortunate to have clients who appreciate my lighting skills in the Raleigh and Eastern NC areas. My unique approach sets me apart: I look at architectural features and gardens and landscapes differently than others and view the depth and dimensions when looking at a potential lighting project. I see things differently and look at the entire scene to create not only a stunning scene when the clients drive up to their residence in the evenings, but also to create little vignettes through windows and views from their home offices, kitchens, dens, bedrooms, and patios.

Painting relaxing scenes with soft low-level lighting for the clients to enjoy from many different viewpoints has become my signature style. Sometimes using foliage and plants to create purposeful shadowing, as well as downlighting to create shadows and pools of soft illumination to navigate garden pathways in the moonlight, I craft lighting designs that transform outdoor spaces into enchanting nighttime environments.

Contact us to see the Lite Visions Landscape Lighting difference today. No one else has the lighting background or the creative visions we can provide for our discerning clients in the Raleigh areas.

There are technicians, and there are artists – and Joe is an artist

Painting with light: The Art of Landscape Lighting from Stages to Gardens in Raleigh Durham NC

Posted on January 13, 2025January 13, 2025 by admin in Landscape Lighting, Outdoor Lighting

While adjusting the lighting console at a sold-out amphitheater, I never imagined that one day I’d use those same skills to transform the gardens of Raleigh’s most discerning homeowners while painting their landscapes and with light.

Now, I’ve traded rock concerts for rock gardens, bringing showbiz magic to your outdoor spaces.

Imagine strolling through your garden at dusk, each step illuminated by a soft, welcoming glow; that’s the magic of expertly designed pathway and step lighting.
It’s not just about preventing stumbles; it’s about creating an enchanting journey through your outdoor oasis.
Our low-lumen technique, honed from years of stage lighting experience, ensures that your pathways are bathed in a gentle radiance that guides and delights.
We carefully position each light to accentuate the textures of your stonework and the vibrant colors of your flora, turning a simple walk into a captivating experience.

Even if you have a home on the lake, waterfront, or riverfront property, or perhaps a dock or outbuildings near water.

Let our landscape lighting design experts make your property stand out with soft lighting and magical reflections dancing in the water. From a long career lighting the stars in concerts and Broadway shows to opening his outdoor landscape lighting business, see how Joe, Lite Visions Landscape Lighting’s owner, sets himself apart from cookie-cutter outdoor lighting companies by creating depth and dimension to your residence, making a relaxing atmosphere for you to enjoy in the evening hours.

Lite Visions Landscape Lighting, Raleigh, NC, is a boutique landscape lighting design company serving North Carolina.

Lighting is our only focus.

Lite Visions Landscape Lighting Raleigh NC

From lighting the Stars to Lighting under the stars:

See why we are the Raleigh Durham areas choice for expert custom outdoor landscape lighting.

Illuminate your Raleigh home and property with Expert Landscape Lighting Services from Lite Visions Landscape Lighting. Lite Visions Landscape Lighting is owned and operated by a former theatre and stage lighting technician and designer . Joe toured for many years as a concert and stage lighting technician and lighting designer

There are technicians, and there are artists – and Joe is a lighting artist.

Posted on April 20, 2024April 20, 2024 by admin in Landscape Lighting

a few recent 5 star google reviews

There are technicians, and there are artists – and Joe is a lighting artist.

I came in with a vision for what I wanted for my back yard patio, but Lite Visions landscape lighting of Raleigh showed me that I could have been aiming much higher. I’m nothing but pleased with how it turned out. The quality of the product and the service is very good, and they worked with me and my schedule to get things set up quickly and conveniently. Joe really, truly understood what I needed and was able to get the project done. Raleigh NC Clients

Joe did a great job of lighting our house. He’s very nice, talented, and shows up when he says he will. I wanted the lights to accentuate house, not so lit up that it’s like a runway. Because he has a background with doing lighting for concerts, he knew where to place the light for best results, not just randomly placing them anywhere. After driving around neighborhood, our landscape lighting is also ‘softer’ – not so bright and definitely not as white. You don’t think too much about that (at least I didn’t), until you look at everyone else’s. Personally, I think ours look better. It’s nice because he’s the owner and installer. We are very pleased that we went with him. Wake Forest NC Clients

Mandi Carbon

This is the best decision we made to have Joe come and transform our curb appeal by his deep expertise, passion and unique eye for lighting. He is an artist and a true professional. He is fair in his pricing and dedicated to delighting customers. We can’t wait to do more lighting with you in the future. Don’t look any further, I don’t know how you could have a better experience and result than Lite Visions! He also recommended Woody with Carolina Professional Landscapes to do some refreshing of our beds and plant varieties and it made a huge difference. If you need both, they are the dream team. Better Together: A Young Family Builds a Modern and Fun Place to Gather – WALTER Magazine

Joe did a superb job both in design and installation. Easy to work with and dependable. Highly recommend.

Great experience with Joe, a true artist! His many years of working with concert and theater lighting gives him a unique perspective and eye for what looks good – without being over the top. In our side yard natural areas, Joe placed several soft lights high in the trees, aimed downward that gave our yard a whole new perspective. We highly recommend Lite Visions Landscape Lighting. Cary NC Clients

Wonderful experience! Cannot say enough good things. Joe came, he saw, and he conquered with exquisite taste, patience, and good humor our new home construction project. We were indeed fortunate that friends recommended this lighting artist to us and he was willing to travel – repeatedly – two hours each way to give us this performance we joyfully now have night after night. Thank you Joe! New Bern NC Clients

There are technicians, and there are artists – and Joe is an artist. We live on a large wooded lot and recently did a major house remodel which required pulling up a lot of our existing lighting that was over 15 years old. Joe was recommended to us and once we became aware of his background in theatrical lighting and got a Iook at his website we couldn’t wait to work with him. Joe came out on a Saturday and did a complete and thorough walk around of our lot, asking questions about what we wanted and also making suggestions. He was a pleasure to talk to and to be around, totally down to earth, absolutely no BS. By the end of that consultation, which lasted a couple of hours, we pretty much decided to give Joe carte blanche to do a complete and total reset, so confident were we in the vision he had for our property – and we are so glad that we did. Joe works with what I would call a “soft palette” – he fills in spaces with light and with balance. He most definitely “paints a picture” The resultant effect is calming to the spirit and beautiful to the eye. After the installation, he came back out two nights in a row to make sure we were happy with the vision he had created and that he was happy with it too. Like I said, Joe is an artist. He is also a genuinely nice guy who I have enjoyed getting to know just as much as I’ve enjoyed working with him. I really can’t offer a higher recommendation than that. Raleigh NC Clients

Award Winning Lighting Designs

Posted on September 9, 2023September 9, 2023 by admin in Landscape Lighting

In July this year Lite Visions won several award winning lighting designs when we attended the annual Sterling landscape lighting summit in Danville Virginia. We learned about new products to incorporate into our eye catching landscape lighting designs that elevate our clients property and also in our lighting design challenge we got to put them to use over a three day period. Janet Lennox Moyer a renowned lighting designer and Eleftheria Deko, who has won many many awards for her stunning lighting designs https://edeko.gr/ Eleftheria lit the Olympics in Greece as well as the Acropolis and many other lighting design projects and her and Jan were the judges for our landscape lighting challenge this year. Our project near the lake was a huge area and our team took the challenge and not only worked right up till the last second making adjustments, but were able to capture our entire project reflecting in the lakes surface. It was a moment to remember when our project ,which was the last to be unveiled was switched on. Not only did our team win one ,but three awards this year. Thanks to Sterling lighting for their landscape lighting fixtures and to the beautiful venue in Danville and Averett university for once again hosting our annual summit. Coming from my concert and stage lighting background ,I enjoy meeting and collaborating with lighting designers from all over the USA during the lighting summit. With Lite Visions Landscape Lighting ,we take pride that every detail is softly illuminated to feature key landscape elements as well as featured eye catching architectural elements.

photo credits: Ian Lepke Niteliters

My Background in Theatrical and Stage Lighting led me to start my landscape lighting company in Raleigh NC

Create An Outdoor Oasis

Posted on February 12, 2023 by admin in Landscape Lighting, outdoor audio

Are you looking to create an outdoor oasis where you can relax and unwind after a stressful day?

With the help of a certified landscape lighting designer, you can do exactly that! Lite Visions is the best choice when it comes to creating your dream outdoor space, complete with atmospheric lighting and audio that will help you de-stress and enjoy the outdoors.

Using a certified lighting designer with years of experience in lighting up concert stages will ensure that your outdoor space is lit up in the most conducive way possible. The lighting designer will work with you to come up with the perfect lighting plan that will bring out the best in your outdoor area.

With the right illumination, you can have a cozy and inviting atmosphere that will make you feel right at home. In addition to the lighting, the certified landscape lighting designer will also be able to install outdoor audio to complete the outdoor oasis.

You can have soft music playing in the background to help you relax and unwind after a long day. With the help of an expert, you can be sure that the audio system is set up in the best possible way to create a pleasant ambiance.

At Lite Visions, we understand the importance of having an outdoor oasis that can help you unwind and relax. With the help of our certified lighting designer, we can help you create the perfect outdoor space that is tailored to your needs and will make you feel at home. With the best lighting and audio solutions, you can be sure that your outdoor oasis is a perfect place to relax and enjoy the outdoors.

Experience what makes Lite Visions your best choice for all your outdoor lighting and audio needs.

Lite Visions Landscape Lighting Raleigh NC

919-518-9950

your resort oasis

Posted on January 2, 2023January 6, 2023 by admin in Landscape Lighting

Discover your resort oasis in your own backyard with professionally designed and installed outdoor landscape lighting by a former concert and stage lighting designer.

Joe is a local longtime Raleigh native,homeowner and former concert and stage lighting designer and has been sharing that knowledge to properties in the Raleigh,Wake Forest and North Carolina areas for the last five years.

As an actual lighting designer who has driven out of many neighborhoods in the evening hours after installing lighting and seeing many poorly designed lighting installations, Joe wants to help homeowners understand the difference in people who might just light an object with only one fixture when it might require more lights at less lumens to properly illuminate the object.

Picasso would use many brush strokes to paint a masterpiece and proper landscape illumination many times requires more than just one brush stroke up the center of a huge tree.

A lot of companies might put a fixture too close to a trees trunk or too close to a homes foundation and use a lamp that is too bright and instead of the light looking nice and soft you can see a very noticeable hot spot near where the light starts.

Call Lite Visions today to see your property at night looking like the amazing work of art you see in the daytime.

alt="softly illuminated water fountain and statue,landscape lighting Raleigh NC" — softly illuminated water fountain and statue Lite Visions Landscape Lighting Raleigh NC

www.litevisions.com

Creating a private escape in your own backyard

landscape lighting VS magical landscape lighting

Posted on September 20, 2022January 6, 2023 by admin in Landscape Lighting, Outdoor Lighting, outdoor lighting professionals raleigh

I get a few phone calls weekly that start out like this,I have a 1-3 year old lighting system and it just doesn’t look like some I have seen. Can you stop by and take a look at it. They have just ok landscape lighting VS magical landscape lighting .Whomever installed their lighting gave them a very basic install and probably did not even come back to do a night time lighting focus. I usually set up a time to stop by and see what their outdoor landscape lighting looks like and setup a time to stop back another evening and do a nighttime demonstration of what their outdoor landscape lighting could look like. Coming from my many years of working on concert and theatrical lighting I see things in a very different perspective. I work to create depth,definition as well as layers to give a property a magical nighttime lighting effect. I actually have lighting vendors who have seen my work and send me samples of their products.

Lite Visions is not your typical cookie cutter outdoor landscape lighting designer,if you want your property to look like a resort oasis in the evening hours call us today.

Lite Visions Landscape Lighting 919-518-9950

a friend of ours Anthony who does amazing landscape lighting in LA

https://www.californiaoutdoorlighting.com/gallery/

From lighting up the stars to lighting under the Stars

Posted on September 12, 2022October 16, 2022 by admin in Landscape Lighting, Low Voltage landscape lighting, outdoor audio, Outdoor Lighting, outdoor lighting professionals raleigh

Lite Visions Landscape Lighting is not your average run of the mill lighting designer. Joe has went From lighting up the stars to lighting under the Stars.

Light Visions has over 35 years in the live entertainment industry ,working on many different types of projects from helping to illuminate a symphony to the Christmas sensation the Trans Siberian Orchestra.

We use many of the same theatrical techniques to create a beautiful,yet very softly illuminated scene for your property that creates a beautiful backdrop for you to enjoy in the evening hours. Lite Visions Landscape Lighting takes pride in our custom lighting design work and while we primarily work in the Raleigh NC area,we have illuminated clients homes from the coast to the mountains and even as far away as Las Vegas.

Unfortunately, many people in our industry do simple cookie cutter jobs that a lighting rep showed them how to do.That usually means lighting one thing with one fixture one sided with no knowledge of lamp types ,shielding the light or any real design other than sticking a fixture in the ground.

We are very proud to be chosen by Coastal Source to be an installer for their concert quality outdoor audio systems in 2022.

Contact Lite Visions Landscape Lighting today to get on our schedule

www.litevisions.com

Lite Visions Landscape Lighting Raleigh North Carolina

From lighting up the stars to lighting under the Stars

Concert and Theatrical Lighting Background Touring over 30 years

Posted on April 23, 2022October 16, 2022 by admin in Landscape Lighting, Low Voltage landscape lighting, Outdoor Lighting, outdoor lighting professionals raleigh

Lite Visions Landscape Lighting’s owner Joe comes from a concert and theatrical lighting background and will use a few of those lighting techniques to make your home and property into a night time resort oasis. Lite Visions landscape lighting uses only the best lighting fixtures and equipment available to the professional. Joe looks at things in a more artistic manner and lights things up as your eye sees them ,not flat and one sided as many people who install landscape lighting in the area seem to do ,we see quite a few bad lighting jobs driving out of neighborhoods in the evenings when leaving clients homes. Many installers seem to think more lumens is better on a lot of things they light and this is not usually the case with landscape lighting. Most times less lumens is more with a properly shielded lamp source to hide the light from view when walking past.

Contact Lite Visions Landscape Lighting today to see what makes us different

Make sure to see our many 5 star Google reviews