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.

Turn of events.

Turn of events.

Maria Vatne

The joy of having a baby squirrel was short, sadly. The little one died suddenly in Ronjas hands, and we are sad - especially Freja. We made a grave for him, with a lovely tombstone and flowers, and he is mourned properly. I have twisted my brain to think if we did anything to cause it, but I don't know. I think nurturing a small wild animal like that is difficult, the margins are so small. We did our best, and I have a feeling he might have been weak to begin with, maybe that is why his mother left him behind. 
We are sad, and life goes on. On with days of ripe berries in the garden, trips to the pond, dinners with produce only from the farm, spending the whole day in your undies only (Falk), doing everything slowly. I have tons of work now, but I try to take time off as well, to breathe and rest and feel the summer vibes. The days are smooth, life is good.

Gatherers.

Gatherers.
Squirrel love.

Squirrel love.