Although accommodations vary greatly from couch to couch, one thing is always certain: there is usually no photo of where you will sleep. Instead, the descriptions written by hosts usually 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 every stay on the couch feel like a unique experience shaped by the host and the space they provide.
Each photo in the series features a different host – someone from a distant land 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 only the hosts, but also the subtle dynamics that occur when living under someone else’s roof – sometimes cozy, sometimes awkward, but always deeply personal.
The project began during Natcha’s time at art school in New York, where she turned to couchsurfing to alleviate the loneliness that comes with starting over in a new city. For them, it was more than just a way to find a bed for the night – it was an opportunity to socialize, learn and grow. The series is a portrait of these connections – some fleeting, others lasting – and a reflection on how, ultimately, we are all just travelers looking for a place to call home.
