Hi, I’m Vedat Çakmak from Istanbul, Turkey.
I’m a cinematographer and a producing traveler. Throughout my journeys, I’ve created nearly 150 documentary films. Traveling is not just about moving for me — it’s about creating. Along the way, I’ve produced video content for musician friends and visual works for painter and artist friends.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DRwfN2yk2Y9/?igsh=NDQybTRrczNmMmw2
I love hitchhiking, camping, trekking, and meeting people through real conversations. Camp life suits me well — people often enjoy the talks we share around it. If there’s music, it gets even better. I’m not a professional musician, but I love accompanying music and casually playing instruments.
I’m respectful of house rules and personal space. I’d describe myself as both energetic and calm:
If you feel like spending time together, sharing stories, or creating something, I’m happy to join. If you prefer a quiet day and your own space, I completely understand and can enjoy my time on my own as well.
My Couchsurfing account may be new, but I’ve previously hosted many travelers from around the world at my home in Kadıköy, Istanbul. I’m currently on a world trip and value meaningful connections, shared experiences, and learning from the road.
If our paths cross, I’d love to meet you.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

use Couchsurfing because it’s one of the best ways to truly experience a culture. I can learn so much from local people about their daily life, traditions, and the places I visit. When you share music, movies, or recommend local spots, it gives me a deeper understanding than any tourist guide could.
I love traveling not just as a tourist, but as a traveler who connects with people and cultures. Couchsurfing allows me to experience that authentic side of every place I visit.

Interests

• culture
• photography
• film making
• cooking
• music
• camping
• hitchhiking
• exploring
• hang drum

Music, Movies, and Books

Some of my favorite books include Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse, Journey to the East, and works by Fernando Pessoa.
I mostly enjoy reading books about psychology and travel. I’m also very interested in scientific research, influenced by my background in journalism and filmmaking.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Turning the road into my classroom and film set, creating documentaries and sharing stories with people from different cultures.

Teach, Learn, Share

I really love learning and sharing. Life is made of shared experiences. Sometimes stepping out of our comfort zone and discovering a new culture can change our perspective and the way we feel about the world. I value learning from different people, emotions, and cultures — these experiences are very important to me.
I’m happy to share what I know and love. I can share my professional experience, teach photography (which I truly enjoy), and exchange travel knowledge and experiences. Traveling is a big part of my life, and I love passing on what the road has taught me.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I love sharing what I know and what I enjoy. I can share my professional experience as a cinematographer and documentarian, teach photography, and talk about travel experiences and tips. I also enjoy discussing music, art, and creative projects — maybe even collaborate on something small if the opportunity arises.
Most of all, I enjoy meaningful conversations and learning from each other’s perspectives. I try to make every interaction memorable and fun, whether it’s around a campfire, over a meal, or just sharing stories at home.