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.

Goodbye, Pål.

Maria Vatne

It was slaughtering time again here today. It's never easy, not for anyone, but today was emotionally harder for us than before. It was time for Pål - our first calf born on the farm - to go. As always, it was done in the most humane way possible; he was taken outside in the field, given lovely food from a bucket, and then, without any stress or fear, it was all over. Mr. Payne had great help from friends, and the kids and I watched it from the house. I had to turn away when the shot came, and yes, there were tears. The kids on the other hand, watched it all, and as soon as he was on the ground, ran out to have a closer look. Even though I find this hard, I still firmly believe that including the kids (and myself) in this, is good for us. It's about being close to the cycle of life, about making death a natural part of it, about not distancing ourselves from everything uncomfortable. (I have written more about this previously, here and here.) 

Thank you, Pål, and goodbye.

It's all happening.

Milestone!