🌿 About Me Hi, I'm Jino, a full-time photographer from Malapperoor, a quiet and beautiful village in Kerala, India. I live with my wife Midhu, who’s also a photographer and teacher, and our little boy Kiyan. We live with my parents, who are experienced farmers and storytellers in their own right. Our lives revolve around nature, family, and meaningful work. We grow our own food, live seasonally, and love to host people who bring stories, smiles, and curiosity into our home. 🏡 About Our Home We live in a warm, tropical village with coconut trees, jackfruit, monsoon winds, and laughter in the courtyard. Our home is simple and peaceful. We have clean sleeping space, an outdoor kitchen, and a heart that welcomes kind strangers. Expect to sit under trees, sip hot chai, help in the field or kitchen if you’re interested, and experience the real rhythm of rural Kerala life. 📸 What I Do I am a wedding and architecture photographer by profession. My work has been featured across homes, spaces, and celebrations throughout South India. My wife Midhu handles newborn and family photography too. If you’re into photography or art, you’ll feel right at home here. 🍛 Food and Culture We’re non-vegetarian, but we’re happy to cook vegetarian meals if you let us know in advance. We enjoy cooking together, sharing meals, and talking over firewood and rain sounds. If food is not shared, it’s not truly food for us. 🌾 Daily Life and Help We appreciate guests who are willing to share our rhythm—whether it’s cutting vegetables, helping in the field, or just learning and teaching. Helping each other builds connection, and we see this as a mutual exchange, not just a stay. 🧘 House Rules Respect our space and our boundaries. Be open, be kind, and bring your full self.
Interested in Farm Animals
Interested in Movies
Fluent in English
Learning Hindi
Why I'm on Couchsurfing
I believe people are books—each one with their own chapters, twists, and truths. I’m here to meet open-minded, respectful souls who are curious about village life, Kerala’s food and culture, and deep, soulful conversations. Couchsurfing gives us a space to connect without filters or expectations.
Music, Movies, and Books
I’m drawn to films that linger long after they end—films that are gentle, reflective, and quietly powerful. Some of my all-time favorites: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty – for its quiet call to adventure and beauty Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring – a meditation on life itself Cinema Paradiso – a love letter to memories and movies Boyhood, C.R.A.Z.Y., Café de Flore, and Good Dinosaur – stories that grow with you, not just around you In music, I flow with Sufi, Hindustani, and Carnatic fusion—sounds that carry depth and devotion. I find peace in the voices of Sam Garrett, Papon, and Abida Parveen, whose music feels like prayer.
One Amazing Thing I've Done
One of the most unforgettable journeys I’ve taken was riding my Honda Unicorn all the way from my hometown in Kerala to Uttarakhand — just to visit a farm and help out. It wasn’t just about the destination or the farming itself, but about the 30-day journey across India. Riding through changing landscapes, climates, languages, and people gave me a deeper understanding of this country and myself. It was a trip that taught me simplicity, patience, and the power of slow, intentional travel.
What I Can Share With Hosts
A peaceful bed and clean space to rest Warm home food and authentic village experiences My family’s hospitality and local farming knowledge Deep conversations on life, photography, and beyond
My Interests
Culture, Community, and Visual Storytelling Farming and Natural living Long walks, Coffee, and Soft Music in the background We love to capture honest moments, people in their element, and the little details that make a place feel like home. Travelling for us isn’t about ticking off places—it’s about experiences, silence, light, and people.
