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:

Love + vegetables
"Boo", "Freja", "Ronja", "Sioux", "family life", "today"
Rainy day Sunday. The wind has been so cold today, and according to Ronja, the ground was frosty this morning. (I was indulged a lie-in again, and yes, it was wonderful.) As proper farmers, the weather did not stop us from moving 14 chicks from the basement of the house (!) to a seriously pro chicken room designed and crafted by Mr. Payne himself, in the barn. Grandad even came to help, which is always popular. And wow, coming in from cold and windy weather, to a house heated by the fire is nothing short of one of the magical things of being human. The rest of the day has been spent in ways inspired by our cats & dog - pretty chilled out.
Well, that goes for everyone except for Freja. A moment of not monkeying around is a moment wasted, in her book. Phew!
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Cinderella.

Highlights.