Home is where the couch is: photos by Natcha Wongchanglaw

While amenities vary greatly from couch to couch, one thing is always certain: There’s usually no photo of where you’ll sleep. Instead, descriptions written by hosts often give an idea of ​​what to expect, whether it’s a private room, a couch, or sometimes even sharing a bed with the host. This lack of certainty makes each couch stay feel like a unique experience, shaped by the host and the space they offer.

Each photo in the series features a different presenter – someone from a far away country with a unique story, job and lifestyle. The variety is surprising: a free-spirited woman in Mexico who works at Booking.com and parties every night, a speechwriter for the Canadian government, and a nudist in Brooklyn. Natcha’s lens captures not only the hosts, but also the subtle dynamics that develop when living under someone else’s roof: sometimes cozy, sometimes uncomfortable, but always deeply personal.

The project began during Natcha’s time at art school in New York, where she turned to Couchsurfing as a way to alleviate the loneliness of starting over in a new city. For her, it was more than just a way to find a bed for the night: it was an opportunity to connect, learn, and grow. The series is a portrait of these connections (some fleeting, others lasting) and a reflection on how, in the end, we are all just travelers looking for a place to call home.