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.

Gifts of spring.

Gifts of spring.

Maria Vatne

Spring embraces us with many gifts, the days are filled with the wonder of new discoveries. A new flower! Buds on the lilac tree! Worms moving in the soil! And now, the liquid gold that is birch sap. It is like drinking nature. I read somewhere that it was called the water of the gods, and I can relate. It is so fresh and wonderful. I think it was used a lot to boost the immune system after the hard and dark winters.

Find a tree, drill a little hole, stick a tube in and hang a jar or can attached to it, leave it overnight, and there it is. And remember to plug the hole in with a piece of wood afterwards, hug the tree and say thank you!

On horseback.

On horseback.
The real life.

The real life.