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.

Six weeks.

Falk was six weeks old on Monday, and to quote the cliché: I can't believe it's been that long. Or, in a way it feels like he's been here always, and yet I don't understand time has passed so quickly. Life is ambiguous, isn't it: You look forward to the future but grieve over time passed. At least I do, I'm too nostalgic for my own good. I want to stop time, and just stay in this bubble with my little man, keep him just the way he is now. That goes for the girls too, by the way. What is cuter than a curly haired almost-3-year old firecracker, where everything explodes - language, understanding, will, sense of humour, social skills? Or what is more enigmatic than an 8-year old, still a child, my little girl, but on the brink of adolescence, stepping into a new world?
I wish we could stay here. And of course I don't mean that. Because I'm so excited and curious to see who they're turning into, and I want to be on this journey with them, always moving, always something new, always wider horizons and changing landscapes. So it's ambiguous. Which is a cliché, too!
Anyway. It has been six wonderful weeks, where we have been given the gift of falling in love again. With Falk, our cute chunky monkey, our sleepyhead, our cherub. He is so calm and peaceful, he loves sleeping, he loves being held and sung to and gently stroked on his forehead and eyes, he makes the funniest faces where his eyes go completely crisscrossed, he pouts in the cutest way, he loves being bathed and showered, he loves the fresh air, my boobies, lying in front of the fireplace, sitting in the sling and being carried around, the sound of his sisters singing to him, his daddy holding him in that special way. And now, the last few days, he thrills our hearts with big smiles. It's sunlight. It's love!
Greetings from a happy and very privileged woman.
bilde-1

Recipe: Spinach soup.

Girls' room in progress.