27–31 October 2026 | Marrakesh, Morocco
Some destinations seem almost purpose-built for photography, and Morocco is undoubtedly one of them. From the intricate architecture and colourful souks of Marrakesh to the dramatic landscapes beyond the city, there is no shortage of photographic inspiration.
For my wife and I, our visit to Marrakesh, between 27 and 31 October 2026, marked the second part of our honeymoon and, for both of us, our first time setting foot on the African continent. It was an opportunity to experience somewhere completely different, immerse ourselves in a new culture and, naturally, indulge my interest in photography.
However, there was one significant difference between this trip and many of my previous travels: I decided to leave my DSLR camera equipment at home.
The dilemma: should I take my DSLR?
Before travelling, I spent some time debating whether to take my DSLR and a small selection of lenses. As a photography enthusiast, the prospect of visiting somewhere as visually stimulating as Morocco without my usual equipment initially felt like a missed opportunity.
The temptation was certainly there. A versatile zoom lens, perhaps accompanied by a wide-angle or prime lens, would have provided plenty of creative possibilities.
However, I eventually decided that the potential risks outweighed the benefits.
Travelling internationally with expensive photography equipment presents a number of considerations that are easy to overlook when enthusiasm takes over. There is the obvious risk of theft, particularly when navigating busy markets, crowded streets and unfamiliar surroundings. Expensive camera bodies and lenses can attract unwanted attention, and carrying a substantial camera bag can make you more conspicuous as a tourist.
Then there are the less obvious risks.
Camera equipment is vulnerable to accidental damage, knocks and drops, particularly when travelling between destinations. There is also the possibility of losing equipment during transit, having baggage delayed or encountering difficulties when trying to keep everything secure in hotel rooms, restaurants and transport.
Insurance is another important consideration. Specialist camera insurance may be necessary. If you consider it worthwhile, photographers should check policy limits, exclusions, unattended-equipment clauses and whether equipment is covered internationally. Standard travel insurance may not adequately cover the replacement value of an expensive camera kit.
Ultimately, I felt that spending our honeymoon worrying about the security of several thousand pounds' worth of photographic equipment would detract from the experience, not to mention weigh heavy on my poor feet in sandals. (On one day we marched some 15 kilometres in 30 degree heat!)
There is also something to be said for travelling lighter and experiencing a destination without constantly thinking about which lens to use or whether the next photographic opportunity justifies taking the camera out of the bag. There’s an old adage in photography: sometimes the best camera is the one you have with you - in my case, this was my mobile phone.
It was a decision that allowed me to concentrate on enjoying the trip with my wife. Nevertheless, I couldn't help looking at certain scenes and imagining how I might have photographed them with my DSLR.
Maison de la Photographie: a highlight for photography enthusiasts
One of the highlights of our time in Marrakesh was visiting Maison de la Photographie (The House of Photography).
For anyone with an interest in photography, I would thoroughly recommend putting this museum on their itinerary. Indeed, the guidebook that my wife had purchased online had listed it as a must-see attraction. Who are we to argue?
Located within the medina, the museum offers a fascinating insight into the photographic history of Morocco. Established in 2009, its collection brings together an extensive archive of images documenting the country from the late nineteenth century through to the twentieth century.
What makes the collection particularly interesting is the variety of photographic processes and historical material on display. Visitors can discover albumen prints dating back to around 1870, glass plate negatives, autochromes, silver gelatin photographs, postcards and other archival material.
It is an opportunity to see how photographers documented Morocco during a period of considerable social and cultural change, long before the convenience of digital photography.
During our visit, we were particularly interested in the exhibition 'Morocco, Views from Yesterday and Today' (Maroc, Regards d'hier et d'aujourd'hui).
Running from 20 April until 31 October 2026, the exhibition brought together photographs spanning different periods and photographic approaches. It explored the evolution of photography in Morocco, from early documentary images to more contemporary interpretations, featuring portraits, everyday scenes, architecture and traditional aspects of Moroccan life.
I found this especially interesting from a photographer's perspective. Looking at historical photographs provides an opportunity to consider not only how a country has changed, but also how the photographer's approach to documenting it has evolved.
There is something fascinating about studying the composition, use of light and subject matter in photographs produced using much older photographic processes. Without the immediate feedback and technical conveniences available to photographers today, these images are a reminder of the craft and thought involved in producing a photograph.
For anyone interested in documentary photography, portraiture, architectural photography or the history of the photographic medium, Maison de la Photographie is well worth a visit.
It also provides a different perspective on Morocco. Rather than simply photographing the country as a tourist, you begin to appreciate the importance of photography as a means of documenting its people, culture and changing identity.
Street and portrait photography: capturing everyday life
Marrakesh offers an extraordinary variety of opportunities for street and portrait photography.
The medina, with its narrow alleyways, traditional workshops, market stalls and bustling streets, provides an almost endless range of potential subjects. There are interesting faces, textures, expressions and interactions taking place everywhere.
From a photographic standpoint, I think Morocco would be particularly rewarding for anyone interested in documentary-style portraiture.
One approach I would be keen to explore on a future visit would be black and white portrait photography. Removing colour can place greater emphasis on facial expressions, character, texture and the relationship between the subject and their surroundings.
The traditional architecture, changing light and variety of people going about their everyday lives would lend themselves particularly well to this style.
However, photographing people in Morocco requires sensitivity and respect.
It is important to remember that not everyone wants to be photographed. Rather than simply pointing a camera at someone in the street and capturing an uninvited candid portrait, I would always recommend approaching people respectfully and asking permission first.
A friendly gesture towards your camera, accompanied by a smile, can be a good starting point. If someone agrees, you have the opportunity to create a more considered portrait, perhaps even taking a moment to establish a connection with your subject.
If someone declines, their wishes should be respected.
There may also be occasions when a person expects payment for being photographed, particularly performers and certain individuals in busy tourist areas. It is sensible to establish any arrangement beforehand. This expectation was confirmed to me when I shot a video of a man who was windmilling the tassels on his fez to traditional Moroccan instrumental accompaniment in the Jemaa el-Fnaa marketplace.
For me, this is an important distinction between simply taking photographs of people and creating meaningful portraits. The latter requires a degree of interaction, understanding and mutual respect.
Morocco would certainly be somewhere I would consider returning to with a dedicated portrait photography project in mind.
Landscape photography: an excursion to the Agafay Desert
Although Marrakesh itself offers plenty of photographic opportunities, one of the excursions we particularly enjoyed was our visit to the Agafay Desert.
Located outside the city, Agafay offers a very different environment from the busy streets and markets of Marrakesh. Its open landscapes, undulating terrain and distant horizons provide a welcome change of scenery.
Unfortunately, the weather wasn't particularly kind to us on the day of our visit. The sky was overcast, which meant we didn't experience the dramatic lighting conditions that landscape photographers often hope for.
Nevertheless, I could immediately appreciate the photographic potential of the location.
I found myself imagining the possibilities of returning with a camera during the golden hour, particularly around sunset. The warm light falling across the rolling desert landscape could create some wonderful opportunities for landscape photography.
One image I would particularly like to capture would feature a group of camels moving across the ridgelines, silhouetted against a colourful evening sky.
The contrast between the camels, the landscape and the changing colours of the sunset could make for a particularly striking composition.
Agafay is a rocky desert landscape rather than the vast, shifting sand dunes associated with the Sahara, but its rolling hills and open vistas still provide plenty of opportunities for dramatic imagery.
For landscape photographers, I think it would be worth considering a dedicated sunset excursion, allowing enough time to explore different compositions and make the most of the changing light.
A wide-angle lens could be useful for capturing the expansive scenery, while a telephoto lens would provide opportunities to isolate distant subjects and compress the landscape.
It is certainly somewhere I would like to revisit with my camera.
Morocco: a destination for photographers of all genres
One of the things that struck me about our short visit was just how much variety Morocco offers from a photographic perspective.
It would be easy to associate Marrakesh primarily with colourful markets, exotic architecture and busy street scenes. However, I think the country has considerably more to offer photographers with different interests.
Architectural photography
The architecture is particularly impressive, with intricate geometric patterns, decorative doorways, traditional riads, ornate ceilings and beautiful courtyards. There are countless opportunities to explore symmetry, repetition, perspective and the interplay between light and shadow.
Note: See the Bahia and El Badi Palaces
Street and documentary photography
The medina provides a fascinating environment for documenting everyday life. Traditional crafts, market traders, workshops and the movement of people through the narrow streets all offer opportunities to tell visual stories. As with portraiture, respect for people's privacy and permission should remain a priority.
Portrait photography
For photographers who enjoy working with people, Morocco offers the opportunity to create environmental portraits that incorporate the character of the surroundings. I would particularly enjoy exploring a black and white approach, concentrating on expressions, textures and the human stories behind the images.
Landscape photography
Beyond Marrakesh, the scenery changes considerably. From the Agafay Desert to the Atlas Mountains (on the list for next time) and the more extensive desert regions further afield, there are opportunities for photographers interested in expansive landscapes, dramatic skies and changing light.
Travel and cultural photography
There is also the opportunity to combine several genres, documenting the food, traditional crafts, architecture, local customs and general atmosphere of the country. This is perhaps where Morocco's greatest photographic appeal lies: there is always something different to observe.
Would I return with my DSLR?
Absolutely.
Although leaving my DSLR at home was the right decision for this particular trip, Marrakesh has certainly given me plenty of inspiration for a future photographic visit.
I would love to return with a carefully selected camera kit and dedicate more time to exploring the photographic opportunities that Morocco offers.
A few days spent concentrating on street and portrait photography in the medina, followed by excursions into the surrounding landscapes, would make for a fantastic photography-focused trip.
I would also like to experience Agafay again under better lighting conditions, particularly around sunset, and see whether I could capture the image of camels crossing the desert landscape that I had imagined during our visit.
Most importantly, our time in Marrakesh was about enjoying the second part of our honeymoon and experiencing somewhere entirely new together. Photography was always going to be part of how I viewed the destination, but it was refreshing to put the equipment question aside and simply enjoy being there.
Our first experience of Africa was a memorable one, and Morocco has left me with plenty of reasons to return.
For photographers considering a visit to Morocco, my advice would be simple: take your time, look beyond the obvious tourist attractions, engage respectfully with the people and culture, and don't forget to look for the photographs that tell a story rather than simply capture a place.
Sometimes the best photographic inspiration comes from the places that make you want to pick up your camera again.