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.

What could be better than...

Love + vegetables
"Mrs. Payne", "christmas"
...a chilled out Saturday evening with the best company I know (Mr. Payne!) a tasty (hopefully) meal cooking in the oven, a glass of beer, Bonnie Raitt's enchanting songs, and thinking back on the fantastic night last night with my favourite girls! The annual traditional Christmas party was a great success this year too, with abundance of lovely foods, good drink, some real heart-to-hearts and of course dancing with our high heels on! A night I can live off for a long while!

A happy Mrs. Payne, last night. Thanks girls!

Today:

A grand day out.