Is Morocco good for a photography trip?

I'm a keen photographer as well as a cultural designer, and Morocco is the destination I'd send any photographer to first. The sheer density of strong images is unusual — you can fill a memory card before lunch. The colour, texture, and light here are exceptional: ochre walls glowing at sunset, indigo doorways, mountains of spices, hand-dyed wool drying on rooftops, and the soft, warm desert light that landscape photographers dream about.

The signature locations are genuinely as good as the photos promise. Chefchaouen's blue-washed lanes are a colourist's paradise, especially in the quiet early morning before the crowds. The Fes medina is a maze of doorways, tanneries, and shafts of light — the most atmospheric place I shoot in Morocco. Ait Ben Haddou's earthen kasbah at dawn, the dunes of Erg Chebbi at sunrise and sunset, the Todra Gorge's towering walls, and the chaotic, characterful souks of Marrakech each offer a completely different visual story.

A word on the human side, because it's both a highlight and a challenge. Moroccan faces and street life are wonderfully expressive, but many people — particularly in rural areas and the souks — don't want their photo taken, and some vendors expect a tip for it. I always advise asking first, learning a few words of Arabic or French, building a moment of rapport, and respecting a 'no'. A good local guide is invaluable here: they can introduce you, smooth permissions, and get you into workshops and homes you'd never reach alone.

My practical guidance: shoot the medinas and Chefchaouen at first light when they're empty and the light is soft; plan to be in the dunes for both sunrise and sunset; and absolutely use a private driver-guide so you can stop on mountain passes and at oases for the light rather than a tour bus's timetable. Bring a polariser, a wide lens for the medinas, and dust protection for the desert. Get the timing right and Morocco gives you a portfolio in a week.