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.

And then there's this one.

Love + vegetables

Being away from him many times a week is hard. He's still my little baby! Yes, I know, I'll get used to it. Problem is that I don't want to get used to it…

Although I shower in self pity at the moment, I can still see this much clearly: My big guy is taking impeccable care of my little guy. Those two and that feisty middle sister rule Zoo Payne at daytime, and will do until spring comes and I'm off work again. And you know, coming home from a fun job, to a clean house, dinner ready and happy kiddos, well it ain't so bad.

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Afternoons.

To and fro.