Photo Production Morocco: What You Need to Know Before Your Shoot

Morocco has become a go-to destination for international photo shoots. It’s close to Europe, cost-effective, and offers a wide range of settings — cities, deserts, coastlines, and more — all within a few hours of each other. This article explains what it takes to plan a smooth photo production in Morocco — and how to avoid the delays that often get in the way.

Why Morocco Works for Photo Production ?

Production teams choose Morocco for practical reasons. You can shoot summer collections in winter, build sets in the middle of the desert, or capture street scenes with minimal post-production. The geography gives you options, and the country has hosted brands, fashion houses, and content creators for years.

But every shoot has its own requirements — and that’s where problems can start.

Shooting in Morocco: What Gets in the Way

• Scouting takes time unless you know exactly where to go. Some sites need authorizations, others are hard to access.
• Local coordination can slow down production. Vendors may not speak your language or follow the same timelines.
• Unexpected costs can come up if you don’t have a local fixer — permits, transport, crew rates, or equipment delays.

Without someone on the ground, the risks are higher — even for small productions.

Shooting in Morocco Comes with Rules

If you’re planning a professional shoot in Morocco, you’ll need a permit. That applies to most locations — from public streets in Marrakech to desert camps in Agafay. No permit means you’re at risk of getting shut down, or worse, facing customs issues when bringing gear into the country. Permits aren’t instant. You’ll need to submit a full application, including:

• Crew list with names and roles
• Equipment list, especially if you’re importing anything
• Locations and exact dates
• A mandate letter, if you’re working through a local company

The paperwork goes through the Department of Communication and should be submitted at least 15 days before your first shoot day. Without this in place, there’s no guarantee you’ll get approval — and delays are common if the file is incomplete or unclear..

Why It’s Worth Having a Local Production Partner

Trying to handle everything remotely might seem doable, but in practice, it often leads to delays and miscommunication. A local production company knows how the system works. They understand what the authorities expect, how to prepare the permit file properly, and how to follow up without wasting time.
They also take care of the essentials: crew, transport, equipment rental, and on-site coordination. Instead of managing ten different things from a distance, you get one reliable contact who keeps the shoot moving. It’s not just about convenience — it’s about making sure nothing gets missed, especially when time is tight.

Need Support for Your Photo Production Morocco?

If you’re planning a shoot, we’re here to help. We’ll walk you through the process, handle the paperwork, and keep your production running smoothly — from pre-production to final wrap.
Send us your brief, and we’ll take it from there.