Morocco Photo Essay by Courtney Hurrell

Today, we’re featuring a wonderful photo essay from film photographer Courtney Hurrell. Scroll below to view the images and read more about Courtney’s time in Morocco…

Analog cameras and films used: Nikon F3 (Find at KEH Camera or on eBay) | Kodak UltraMax 400 (Find on Amazon), Fujifilm 400 (Find on Amazon)

Connect with Courtney: Website | Tumblr

Visual Journal: Morocco

By Courtney Hurrell

Two months spent surfing and traveling around the kingdom of Morocco with a Nikon F3 and a couple rolls of film.

Starting off in Marrakesh, I spent a month in Imsouane surfing before heading inland. I finished the trip in Tangier but not before heading into the desert and visiting other towns in between.

I had previously deactivated my Instagram and wanted to experience this trip without the influence of social media. Taking only a film camera meant I could take my time with my photos and actually enjoy being in the moment. There was no need to rush for the ‘perfect’ shot, I had to trust that I had captured it the best I could.

Essaouira: My first stop was Essaouira, a fishing village known for its kite and windsurfing. I spent four days here, wandering around the medina, window shopping in the souk and drinking copious amounts of sweet mint tea…The medina was much less chaotic than in Marrakesh and the town had a more chill vibe.

Imsouane: I headed to Imsouane afterwards and ended up staying about a month on the coast for various reasons, but mostly because of the surf and people I met. I spent my days just surfing, hanging out with other travelers and wandering around taking a few photos.

Imlil & Ouarzazate: On my way to the desert I spent time in Imlil, famous for those wanting to hike Mount Toubkal, as well as a few days in Ouarzazate.

The draw of staying in Ouarzazate was Ait Ben Haddou and Atlas Studios, both have served as backdrops in various international and local films throughout the years.

M’hamid: After Ouarzazate I headed to M’hamid, a small town that is one of the last before the vastness of the Sahara. I took a 3 night/2 journey into the edge of the Sahara.

The first night I wild camped with two camels and a guide named Oussama. The next day we walked to a meeting point where I was picked up by a 4×4 to camp closer to Erg Chigaga dune, in the Sahara itself.

Both nights I slept on a dune under the full moon and a handful of stars.

Fes: I rested for a day before taking the 10hr bus back up to Marrakech for a night and onto a 7hr train bound for Fes. I took a walking tour throughout the chaos of the Fes medina and snapped a few photos when I could. Of all the Moroccan towns I visited, Fes is my favorite. Something about how local and non touristy it is.

Chefchaouen: The famous ‘blue city’ was a lot more touristy than I expected. I found it was set up now as a tourist trap that serves only as a backdrop for Instagram photos instead of the quaint mountain town it used to be. I did manage to wake up early one misty morning and got a few quiet shots before the crowds descended upon the blue streets.

Tangier: A city I most looked forward to visiting, Tangier did not disappoint. It’s a Moroccan city with a European twist. Many famous literati such as Paul Bowles and William Burroughs had wandered through the same streets and drunk at cafes I visited.

It rained most of the days I was in Tangier but I felt it added a bit more charm to the city. The rain gave me an excuse to spend all day cafe hopping from the many various cafes dotted around the medina – including the famous Cafe Baba.

Asilah: After pushing my flight home by two days, I took the train down to Asilah, a cute little town by the sea. I walked around the white painted medina before I realized I arrived a bit late in the day, as most places were closed. Nonetheless, I wandered around enjoying the architecture and view of the sea lapping against the medina’s ancient walls.

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