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.

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Ok, so we're probably not the most romantic couple ever, I mean in the classic sense of the word. There are rarely roses bought, or candle lit dinners at fine restaurants, or spur-of-the-moment trips to Paris and Rome. We don't even buy each other presents for Christmas and birthdays. (Unless it's something arranged, like I will tell him "I would very much like a pair of new Dr. Martens boots for Christmas", and then I'll take him by the hand and we'll go to the shop and buy the boots. And then I'll kiss him and say how wonderful he is at buying me presents.) There are two main reasons for this, and they go together: We're not the types, it's not a natural way for us. And we have chosen a way of living where these things don't fit in that well (jumping on the first flight to Paris isn't the easiest thing with three kids and a farm with animals).
We didn't remember that today was Valentines Day this morning, and we probably won't remember when he comes home from work either. That doesn't mean that my life isn't romantic.
I get hand picked flowers from our fields, not roses. Instead of travelling, I am able to live in a place I've always dreamed of, more than Paris and Rome - on this farm. He has built us a house. He spends so much of his time turning this dream of ours into reality, and I know it's hard work. He is the best father anyone could ask for. He still makes me laugh, and he still impresses me.
Valentines Day is all fine and fun and romantic (I'm assuming here), but it's the romance in your everyday life that counts. Right?

Today:

Two weeks old today!