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
