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 to wear?

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...could have been the content of my thought bubble in this photo. We are going to a wedding tomorrow, and yes, although we probably are not the chic'est of fashionistas in the village, I have given this some thought and worry lately. Mr. Payne is easy: He has one outfit and will wear it. I, on the other hand, have several.
Anyway. I have landed the outfit, and I'm happy with it. (To any new readers: This is NOT a fashion blog.) So the photo above is lying, I am not bewildered. I am a happy hippie. Looking forward to seeing my two beautiful friends getting married.
It brings me back to this w o n d e r f u l day:
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It was all I could have dreamed of, and more. I hope tomorrow will be like that to our dear friends, too. We're ready for a celebration, no doubt!

Arty-farty.

The first cut.