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.

Today:

Dear May: You are most welcome. We have made everything ready for you, we have dug the garden and made beds for vegetables and we have even put some seeds in already, we have made a scarecrow-bride to keep the seeds safe, the cherry trees are in full blossom, the sheep mamas have had their sheep babies, and we can't wait to embrace all you have to offer. We are waiting for Grandy to come from Portugal tomorrow, there's a calf coming earthside very soon (yes, I know I've said that before, but now we know it's just around "the corner"), there's a couple of final weeks left at my job before I jump into the freedom of summer break, there are dog kennels to be built (new project!), there are songs to sing and a whole lot of life to enjoy. Lucky, lucky us!

Oh and April: Thank you. You were great, as always.

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The last one born.

Hard work and miracles.