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.

Today:

What a weird and wonderful day it has been. The two most prominent events, one big and one smaller:
1. My sister had a baby! The absolutely beautiful Julie has entered this world, and my sister is now a mummy of two! We all went into the hospital to see them, and it was emotional and above all relieving to see that all was well and good. Another life! How mindblowing it is.
2. When we were playing outside, jumping in muddy puddles and picking the poor little flowers who had managed to emerge already, Freja and I suddenly heard a familiar sound from above. And yes, it was a big flock of geese returning from the south, coming back to celebrate summer with us, quacking loudly and forming the unmistakable V in the sky. Wonderful!

Life brings us magic in many ways.
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Faffing about.

It's hard work having your birthday.