A mother of four, photographer, nature lover. Someone trying to make sense of it all, through photos and stories. 

I try to be free in all senses of the word, so I made the leap and now work with what I love doing; taking pictures, storing this life in moments, both for myself and for clients. My heart is in photographing birth and motherhood, but I take on just about any photography job. 
(See my birth photos at www.birth.no and the rest of my work portfolio at www.mariavatne.no.)

I live on a farm in Norway with my man Nik and my children Ronja, Freja, Falk and Ulv, plus a bunch of animals. We grow our own food as far as the seasons allow it, we don't go to kindergarten, the three youngest ones will be homeschooled.

We govern our own lives, we strive for independence, we want to be in this life wild and free and full of love.

Today.

Slept late after a wriggly night with Falks feet into my face most of the time (the joys of co-sleeping, haha), got up to a warm and cozy house where the fire had been lit for the first time this season, and left for a little countryside tour. First, we went to see our filly Albertine, who I've only seen once before when she was newborn. Oh is she lovely. She is so gentle and so snuggly, its amazing how tame she is even though she's lived in the woods with her herd all summer. I think we all fell in love with her today. She'll come to live with us in a months time - I cannot wait. (She's the littlest one in the photos.)

Then we headed further into the woods to visit our new ram (sheep daddy). He's all white and his name is Petrus. He will be joining us shortly, and we're excited to finally be able to breed on our own lambs, the ones that were born here, and not just the ones we bought three years ago. Obviously we haven't been able to do that before, because Brutus is the father of these lambs and he's been the only big daddy here so far. 

Another exciting thing of the day: It is Rosalitas due date today! We are awaiting our second calf after Pål was born in May, so keep out for another birth photography post á la this one

Hope you're having a good one, too!

Xxx

Freja and the fox.

The silence after.