What are the best locations for a fashion or model shoot in Morocco?

Morocco is a fashion location scout's dream because every region offers a completely different backdrop. For drama and clean lines, nothing beats the Sahara: the sculpted orange dunes of Erg Chebbi at sunrise or sunset give you minimalist, sculptural images where flowing fabric and golden light do all the work. For colour and texture, Chefchaouen's blue-washed staircases and doorways are an iconic, ready-made set — though they are popular, so dawn shoots beat the crowds. The mud-brick towers of Aït Ben Haddou bring an epic, cinematic, almost biblical scale that has drawn film crews for decades.

In Marrakech the choices are richer still. The cobalt walls and bamboo of the Jardin Majorelle, the serene tiled courtyards of Le Jardin Secret, the carved cedar and zellij of a grand riad, the pink ramparts and Saadian-era architecture — all give you that layered, ornate Moroccan luxury aesthetic. For coastal and breezy editorial, Essaouira's weathered sea ramparts, blue boats and whitewashed medina under Atlantic light are gorgeous and less harsh than the inland sun. Each of these has a distinct mood, so I match the location to the collection.

The logistics are where a fashion shoot differs from casual content. Many of these spots — gardens, monuments, museums, some riads — charge commercial photography fees or require advance permission for a model, a crew, lighting and tripods, and a number forbid professional gear without a permit. Private riads and boutique hotels can often be booked for exclusive use, which gives you styled interiors, rooftops and pools without public interruption. A local fixer or production company is invaluable: they secure the permits, arrange private access, and handle the asking-permission etiquette in public spaces.

A handful of practical truths: shoot at golden hour to escape both the crowds and the brutal midday contrast, bring an ND filter and reflector for the strong light, and dress and behave with cultural awareness — overly revealing wardrobe in public streets can cause friction, so save those looks for private venues. Build weather slack into desert and mountain days. And confirm the permit requirements for each location well in advance, since which sites need authorisation, and the fees, do change. Get the access right and Morocco delivers backdrops no studio could.