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.

Now you are 40.

Now you are 40.

Maria Vatne

tell me what your heart wants / such a simple thing

The portal is open, all I have to do is walk through it. I have decided what I want to leave behind and what I want to carry with me, who gets to hold my hand and who holds a place in my heart. I have found the pace. 
This winter has been one of digging deep and staying in the dark, of feeling my limits and also pushing myself beyond, of letting go of fear, always letting go of more fear. Of rolling around in my own dirt until I was so fed up with it all I could do was howl and dance. Of feeling my angst until I got so tired of its face I laughed into it instead. Of casting all the complexities off and just simply choosing love. 
Spring comes and with it the promise of loving myself more, of allowing myself more joy. Of taking better care. Spring has always been my time - its when my stars align and the energy already seeping through my bones, waiting in there, get to go full force forward and breathe life into everything.  

40 comes with limitless opportunities, freedom, joy, magic. All I have to do is choose it.

Happy birthday, woman!
You are loved.

Photos by Ronja.

Eight years.

Eight years.
Payne home videos: Throwback to Portugal.

Payne home videos: Throwback to Portugal.