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.

Me and the girls visited a wonderful new exhibition today. It is in an old barn made into an art space - for kids! This is their second year, and both last summer and this, they have imported exhibitions from Denmark. It is so inspiring and awesome! The kids can touch, climb in, explore, hide in, hear and play in the artwork, and it's mystical, a bit scary, very catchy and just simply an experience out of the ordinary to enter this barn.
And yes, I am proud to say that I have worked on this year's exhibition - I filmed the kids sitting in the trees (they sit there and tell us about dreams they've had). Great fun and a great privilege!
There was one area which was made into a city, with buildings, lights, sounds, and many secret hiding places, rooms, caves and closets to climb into, and there was one completely white, heaven-like room that you had to climb through a small tunnel to get to. Exciting for both big and small.
Greetings from an inspired mum who's gone straight home to plan projects in our little summer milking barn!
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Ps: I know the girls look very serious in the photos, but it just goes to show how flabbergasted they were, haha!

Two years ago today.

Today: