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.

Lately / Christmas so far.

Lately / Christmas so far.

Maria Vatne

This Christmas has been the most relaxed one for a long time. I decided last year that no more was I going to spend lots of time and money on supporting a consumerist and capitalist Christmas - it was time to go back to the roots and spend my energy helping other people instead. So this year we started a fundraiser to support UNICEF throughout advent. It closed yesteday on Christmas Eve, and people donated a total of 11 576 NOK (about 1200 Euros)! I am so happy! It feels so good! And it confirms my belief that more people want this - to simplify their own ways of celebrating and to spend more money and time on loving their fellow humans. Freja sowed little felt hearts and many people bought them, so she alone raised a lot of the money. 

The rest of our Christmas energy these couple of days was spent on being together - baking a little, being outside quite a bit, decorating, spying for nissen, eating well, dancing around the Christmas tree, watching good movies and just slowing down a whole lot. It has been lovely.

Merry Christmas!

xxx

Christmas in the big city.

Christmas in the big city.
Winter solstice.

Winter solstice.