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.

30 weeks.

Maria Vatne

I have come to that point in the pregnancy where total strangers find it appropriate to comment on my body. Yep, that is one big belly, and believe me, I know. Fortunately, I am old enough to not be offended anymore, but the story is getting so old. Can we just either not talk about other peoples bodies - or simply tell them they look great? Pregnant or not.

Anyway. 

Although I am starting to feel the weight now, I still feel totally in love with my body and what it is capable of. The mind-blowing fact that there is a baby in there leaves me in complete awe. I am 30 weeks pregnant today. It is dawning on me that very, very soon, there will be a baby born in this house, and I will be the mother of four.

I am cherishing these last weeks, and yet I cannot wait.

40!

Clown / cowboy.