In a world where the notion of “home” is increasingly fluid, Natcha Wongchanglaw’s photo series offers a glimpse into the intimate and often unexpected connections that emerge through Couchsurfing.
The platform, which connects travelers with hosts who open their homes, is built on a sense of community that goes beyond just a place to sleep. Through self-portraits with her hosts from all over the world, Natcha explores how travel can turn strangers into lifelong friends. What started as a way for Natcha to build community in New York City, after leaving her childhood home in Bangkok, has evolved into a visual exploration of how we navigate comfort, trust, and vulnerability in the homes of others.
While the accommodations vary greatly from couch to couch, one thing is always certain: there typically isn’t a photo of where you’ll be sleeping. Instead, the descriptions written by hosts usually give a sense 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 its own unique experience, shaped by the host and the space they offer.
Each photo in the series showcases a different host—someone from a far-off country with a unique story, job, and lifestyle. The range is striking: a free-spirited woman in Mexico who works at Booking.com and parties every night, a government speechwriter from Canada, and a nudist in Brooklyn. Natcha’s lens captures not just the hosts but the subtle dynamics that play out when living under someone else’s roof—sometimes cozy, sometimes awkward, but always deeply personal.
The project began during Natcha’s time in art school in New York, where she turned to Couchsurfing as a way to ease the loneliness of starting fresh 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 enduring—and a reflection on how, in the end, we are all just travelers looking for a place to call home.
