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.

Three years of joy!

Darling crazy wonderful Falk, you are three!

This year you have taken the step from being a baby to becoming a big boy. A big brother, even! Life with you is - as I have said from when you started to crawl around this house - chaos. It is fun, intense, crazy and beautiful. I am so happy to get to be your mother, to be with you every day, to see you grow and bloom, to dance and laugh and live with you. I love you so my heart hurts. Happy birthday, beautiful boy!

Epic fishing trip.

Last photo as a two-year-old.