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.

Sun, I love you.

Love + vegetables
"Freja", "spring"
While Ronja was in Oslo, busy looking for Petter Northug in the fog with her Grandad
(Oslo has the skiing World Championship at the moment, for those who are unaware of such essential things),
me and the Littlest went out to see if spring was anywhere near.

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Lo and behold! Not only was the sun shining, it was actually also warming our faces!

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It's like waking from the dead, every year.

It's almost worth it.
(I said almost.)


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Freja warned me of something evil lurking around the corner...

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...but phew! It was only our Prince Charming out on new conquests.

Ice fishing!

Ok, the Oscars were yesterday, but...