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.

37.

Maria Vatne

I have been on this Earth for 37 years today. I have wandered this planet while it quietly spun 37 times around the sun, and I can say with great clarity that I am at a good place in my life. No, it's not perfect - and it will never be - and what is perfect, anyway? - but I am where I want to be and with the people I want to be with. I am on a journey and I am expanding my ways of understanding this life all the time. I have my kingdom: This farm and the forest, and this is where we have chosen to live our lives. I am with a man who makes my dreams come true, who works long hours every day to really create this life that we want, who has the stamina of a titan and who loves us all very much. I have three kids who make my days wonderful, and chaotic, and colourful, and magical. And now I am carrying another child in my womb, another soul to make this family even more complete. I have friends who stick around, who share their journey with us, who open their arms and homes for us, who give us support, wonderful company and the best conversations. I feel blessed by fairies and have probably never been happier and more content. Now that's something, isn't it?

Happy birthday to me!

My growing heart.

Working together.