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:

There has been a row of sick days in the family, and we have all taken our turn. Last ones out are Falkie and me, and luckily we are just bitten by a mild flu unlike the others, who had the stomach bug. Ew. I've been sniffling my way through the day with a headache on the side, while Falk really hasn't bothered to sniffle at all - the snot has mostly just been laid out there, like babes often do it. Ill or not, things must be done nonetheless, so having a big sis to hang on to is definitely a good thing. 

Work and play. That's what we do. My girls decided to make dinner today, and made taco wraps for everyone, with salads from the garden. There is something quite nice about being able to lie on the sofa feeling poorly when you can hear your kiddos rustling about in the kitchen making food for you. I must say. Having children ain't so bad.

Oh and coming out in the garden after a nap to find your gang busy climbing the flag pole in an action filled game of pirates, well that's pretty cool, too.

Today was a good day, snot and all.

Hoist anchor!

Midsummer.