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:

I surprised myself (and everyone else in the house) with sleeping until 10.30 this morning, and oh how I needed that. Thank you to Mr. Payne and the kids for leaving me alone. That little Mr. Payne has interrupted my sleep an unknown number of times every night the last couple weeks (I am talking about my son here!), and stuff like that takes its toll. He has four teeth breaking through simultaneously, and I have decided that this is why he wriggles and raves around in bed half of the night. So charging up on a bit of sleep does good for an old and weary soul like myself.

After lunch we headed out to the river, threw out a couple of fishing rods (well, the lines anyway), and went skinny dipping, wohoo! This summer seems to be coming to an end, there is that fresh autumnal draft in the air in the morning, and the heat isn't as pacifying as it was earlier. I have to admit, I like it, but it still is great to make the most of what's left and throw oneself into the water as much as possible. 

The afternoon was spent cooking up a lovely soup with garden veg, and then - finally! - our big girl came home after what feels like ages away from us. That feeling of being everyone again, it's hard to beat. 

It was a good day, this Sunday in August.

Love of nature.

I share with you a miracle.