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.

She's home.

Love + vegetables

I have to start filtering out. Or do I? Should I? I don't agree with myself on this, because on one level I need to protect myself from the evil, the horror, the monstrosities. It's been affecting my sleep, his face pops up on my retina when I close my eyes, I let my fantasy go and imagine that I was there, in the midst of the worst horror film ever, and it was REAL. IT HAPPENED. And then I start feeling naive, and a bit hypocritical, because horrible and heartbreaking things happen all over the world, all the time. Without much attention.

And then, when I decide to filter it out, to think happy thoughts, to not go online and read the news every five minutes, I feel like such an ego. I think about all the people, the parents, the siblings, the friends, in my country right now, who cannot choose to push it away like I can. Who live the nightmare all the time. Who can't just close their computer and do something else, for a break.

But now, in my world, things are getting better. She's home. My mama-heart exhales in relief, we are together, my family is secure.

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And lo! Our pack has expanded! Meet Boo, our new best friend.

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See any similarities?

Scenes from today.

Such sadness.