LOVE IS LOVE

With New York's historical decision to allow gay marriage.  I say congratulations on a hard fought battle.
In celebration of the decision I am offering my services to help create beautiful memories on your special day.  Please get in touch for details. Call 323-394-6022

I at Joe Burns Photography will be running specials through all of 2011 and till the end of 2012

Just ask for the FREEDOM SPECIAL/CELEBRATING LOVE.

I am with every booking making a $100 donation to FREEDOM TO MARRY or whatever organization the couple would like.

I am also with every referral that turns into a booking I am  paying a $100 finder's fee.

So while building my business, I am also trying to help stimulate the economy as well as giving back to the community.

Please be on the lookout for my ad, that will be running for a full year in Metro Source Magazine.

Please also ask for specials on all weddings.  I am also available for destination weddings.

Thank you.

Peace.

Remember..................LOVE IS LOVE.

Passion & Gratitude

Yesterday, Oprah after twenty -five years had her final show.
Her show was a love letter to her viewers.
She like Mitch Albom the author of" Tuesday with Morrie" was imparting more words of wisdom to her viewers in the hopes that each and everyone of us realize we are worthy of having an amazing life and need not look to anyone to complete us or give us permission. She expressed that each of us, if we do not shine our light, we are denying ourselves of living our best life.

I have been an Oprah viewer and fan for years. I even had the good pleasure of meeting and working for her on a television movie that she was producing. She is an amazing spirit on this earth.

Her message yesterday was truly a gift. I also think it should have been viewed by everyone.

The life that I decided to start living is directly because of Oprah's influence.  She always said do what you love, live with passion and be of service and God's good will, will be abundant in your life.

I feel as if I am just beginning my life. I am so grateful that I was open to setting myself FREE.

Thank you Oprah Winfrey for helping me free myself of a life I was not happy living.

Wishing you all a life of joy and happiness.

Peace,
Joe

Remember to SHINE YOUR LIGHT.

AMAZING

I just returned from fufilling a long time dream of traveling to Africa and seeing animals in their natural environment. The trip exceeded my wildest expectations.
My travels took me from South Africa,Namibia,Botswana,Zambia,Zimbabwe,Malawi,
Dar es Salaam,Zanzibar,Tanzania and Kenya

Prior to this trip I like most Westerners are only aware of the poverty and place ravaged by HIV and AIDS.
This is not the Africa that I experienced.

The Africa I experienced was one of absolute beauty and rich in ways that I have come to realize our the ways that matter. 
It was so beautiful to see the people of Africa living their lives with such grace and dignity.

I was so moved by the beauty and simplicity of living in Africa. I have decided to return and spend more time there........I am putting feelers out for some jobs and hope if things work out to spend one or two years there.
I live in GRATITUDE everyday for making the choices and living the life that I am passionate about.

I encourage all of you our there to start living the lives that you want to live, rather than living the live you think that you are suppose to live.

Find the courage to live your DREAMS.

Trust that if you do, you will be successful in your efforts.

LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE............SHINE YOUR LIGHT.

PEACE.

On the Road Again.

AFRICA
Living my bucket list NOW.
I decided to live my life seeking out my passions.
For many years I lived in Los Angeles pursuing a life that was depleting my energy source. I was in Los Angeles pursuing an acting career with a very small amout of success. Not enough to sustain a life. I am grateful for what I was able to achieve but knew I wanted more for my life.
It is funny how I went to Los Angeles to pursue a career in the arts and was so unmotivated and uninspired to make it all happen. Since leaving I got back in touch with my creative side with becoming very passionate about photography. I also began to draw again as well as to start writing a book.

I have taken the LEAP OF FAITH that if I removed the fear that I would be supported in my efforts to find my way, or make a way to nourish my soul by doing what mattered to me.

I am yet again trusting, as I embark on more food for my soul that I will be nourished.

Wishing you all a life filled with everything your soul needs to feel alive and supported always.

Peace & Happiness

My Soulfood 4 February

This is what I was able to experience during the month in New Hampshire. I had never been to the ocean in the winter, I must say it was really special to be surrounded by all of this beauty. I felt like I was in my own World for the month. I rented a condo in what is a summer vacation spot. The town was desolate. It was a great way for me to spend a month uninterrupted to focus on writing my book. I am now back in New York with a lot of work still to be done on the book. I did manage to write approxiamately 150 pages.

As a kid I always had a fantasy about going away and secluding myself to write.

I must say it was an amazing experience. Being able to take myself out of my surroundings and to just be with me and my thoughts.  Very healing. It was a wonderful gift.

I hope you all are doing things that make you happy. If not, START.

You will be happy you did.

All the best.

PEACE.

Focus

FOCUS FOCUS FOCUS.

TRYING TO GET MYSELF REFOCUSED AFTER RETURNING TO MY DAY TO DAY LIFE AFTER GIVING MYSELF THE GIFT OF COMPLETE SECLUSION AND SOLITUDE TO WORK ON MY BOOK FOR A MONTH.

It is so easy to get sidetracked in your own surroundings.
To prevent this. SELF DISCIPLINE.
I need to get out of my way.

I was able to write 150 pages of my book. 
60 MORE PAGES is my goal over the next three weeks.

I am realizing how important it is to put a date on everything. That way you can figure out what steps need to be taken now in order to get where I want to be.

FOCUSING FOR THE FUTURE I WANT.

Wishing you all the futures that you want.
JUST FOCUS.
PEACE

Dreams

I am sittting here on my last night in New Hampshire. I was very fotunate to give myself the gift of SOLITUDE for a whole month to write a book.
It has been a wonderful month be in a summer town in winter. The whole town was empty which allowed me to focus at the task at hand without any distractions.

I was very fortunate to experience the beach at winter for the first time which was magical.

I am now sitting here getting ready to watch the Academy Awards which is my favorite day of television.
I love watching the show because it remids me to continue to DREAM.

Wishing you all dreams realized.

KEEP DREAMING.

Love

Happy Valentines Day.

As I was taking my morning walk to day I had a realization about love.

SELF LOVE

The most important love and the hardest to attain.

What a gift that would be if we were all able to love self.

Not the love of a spouse, child, family  or friend is as important as love of SELF.

I am not saying these other loves are not important.  They are VERY IMPORTANT.

It would be great if we were able to experience the unconditional love of self as we get from our pets.

If we were able to experience that,,we would not allow the love or lack of love by all others to define our SELF WORTH.

Just something to think about.

Wishing you all a life filled with love.

LOVELOVELOVELOVELOVELOVELOVELOVE
SELFSELFSELFSELFSELFSELFSELFSELFSELF

Reconnection

Today was yet another glorious day, that started with a very brisk walk on the beach.
My life is good!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am loving the journey that I am now on.

Last night I had the opportunity to reconnect with a dear friend that I had the pleasure of working with twenty-three years ago. She and I had three hours of present effortless conversation.
So refreshing to speak with someone who gets it. She does not allow her self to be taken out of the here and now. It is not about her needing to send a text or check her cell phone or her ipad or see who sent her a message on facebook.......It was so nice knowing that when each of us were speaking we were being heard.

Again this afternoon another conversation with a friend that I lost track of over the past seven years.
Just nice to be reconnected.  I am truly greatful.

It really is such a shame how much of todays culture misses out on thinking they are connected.
It is really kind of ironic with all of the technology of today and ways to connect.

We are more DICONNECTED than ever.


I say keep it simple and reconnect with things and people that matter.

You will be glad you did.

Have a wonderful weekend.

P.S  Writing this entry allowed me to procrastinate a little longer. LOL

Gifts

I just returned from from taking a walk on the beach in Hampton Beach, New Hampshire.  It is a glorious day today the sun is shining bright.......Although it is cold around 18 degrees. OUCH.
The beach of course did not have a single soul on it.
For me that was pure perfection. I was able to walk and enjoy the beauty before me.

I am here working on a project.  I am writing a book, which I am hoping to have finished and published by years end.

I decided to rent a condo in this summer beach town, during the winter.  It is a ghost town.
I did that so I would have no distractions.

I just yesterday finished ready 26 years of journals.

Talk about Food for the Soul........Very theraputic.

I must say, I really am so happy, that I am on the journey of self discovery that I am on.

I am very blessed. I wish that for you all as well.

Give your self the GIFT.

Peace.

GRATITUDE

Just returned from Haiti where I had the pleasure to work alongside Lesly Pinard who I met on my frirst trip after the Earthquake. 
I was accompanied by the son of a lifelong friend as well as a hometown friend who is a nurse. I was thrilled to be able to share the experience with them both.
 This trip was a great in the sense that we were able to provide medical treatment, food, clothes and toys to those displaced by the quake.

We visited the mass grave which was VERY INTENSE.
We also got to visit the school that I helped to build in April.  It was so great to see the children at the school continuing their education and healing in progress.

My heart was so full, by the smiles these children so freely give. They are such a joy.

We were also able to experience and see some of the beauty of the island. It really is a beautful island.

I just want to express my gratitude to all of you who opened up your hearts and were able to make donations.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

Please keep Haiti in your thoughts....They are still in great need.

Peace