Morocco Photography Guide: How to Capture the Best Photos of Your Trip

Morocco is an extraordinary photography destination — the light is exceptional, the colours are extraordinary (saffron yellow medina walls, cobalt blue Chefchaouen, ochre Sahara dunes), and every street corner in Fez or Marrakech offers a potential image. But photographing Morocco well requires some understanding of the cultural context, the best times and places, and the equipment that suits the conditions.

The golden rule: Ask before photographing people. Morocco is a Muslim country and many people — particularly women in traditional dress — do not want to be photographed. Always ask permission ("mumkin tasawwerni?" — can I take your photo?), and accept a refusal graciously. Photographing without asking, or using a telephoto lens to capture people who have not consented, is both disrespectful and often noticed. That said, many craftsmen, souk vendors, and medina residents are happy to be photographed and enjoy the interaction — the key is always to ask first. A small tip (10–20 MAD) is appreciated when someone has given their time for a portrait.

Best photography spots in Morocco: In Fez — the Chouara Tanneries (from the leather shop terraces above; morning light is best), the Ras el-Ma alleyway with laundry above (early morning, 6–8am), the Bou Inania Madrasa interior (midday light through the courtyard opening), and the panoramic view from the Merenid Tombs at golden hour. In Marrakech — Jemaa el-Fnaa at sunset and at night (long exposure magic), the Bahia Palace tiled courtyards (indoor light works well with a wide lens), and the Mellah balconies with their distinctive wrought iron. In Chefchaouen — early morning before 8am, when the streets are empty and the blue walls are lit by soft directional light. In the Sahara — the 20 minutes of sunrise over the Erg Chebbi dunes.

Equipment recommendations: A versatile zoom lens (24–105mm equivalent) covers most Morocco situations. A wide-angle lens (16–35mm) is excellent for riad courtyards, mosque interiors (when permitted), and landscape panoramas. A 50mm prime gives beautiful results in the medina alleyways with its natural field of view. For smartphone photographers: the iPhone and high-end Android cameras perform exceptionally well in Morocco's bright outdoor light; shoot in RAW for maximum post-processing flexibility. A tripod or gorillapod is useful for Sahara night photography (the Milky Way over the dunes is worth the effort). A dust-resistant bag is advisable in the Sahara — sand gets into everything.

Practical photography tips: Shoot from low angles in the medina to emphasise the height of the walls. Early morning (6–8am) and late afternoon (4–6pm) give the best light in both cities and the desert. The midday light in Morocco is very harsh from May to September — use this time for interior photography or rest. Respect signs prohibiting photography inside mosques and military installations. Carry a power bank — full days of photography drain phone batteries quickly. And back up your photos daily — losing a week of Morocco photography to a corrupt card is heartbreaking. Memory cards and USB drives are available in electronics shops in the major cities but bring spares from home.