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.

Birthday!

Love + vegetables
"rambling", "spring"
Don't be fooled by the grim look of the photos below, today has been a great day. How couldn't it, when the sun was warm and wonderful, bumblebees were buzzing past, we were out all day with cake and friends - and it's my birthday!
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Now, a cool spring evening at the Paynes. Blue light and crispy air, a slight fog on the hillside, birds still celebrating in the forest though, but Mrs. Payne is going to crawl into bed soon, grateful and 33 years old.

New 'do!

Mrs. Payne loves...