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.

Winter solstice.

Winter solstice.

It's time to give each other a high-five again, and celebrate the fact that we made it, the darkest time is tonight, and from here we will see the sun more and more. We made a small solstice altar today, baked a cake and headed out. Not a bad way to spend the shortest day of the year!

Lately / Christmas so far.

Lately / Christmas so far.

In the darkness / On the river.

In the darkness / On the river.