Chefchaouen Photoshoot: Capture Memories in Morocco’s Blue City
One of the most common phrases among the women I know is: “I hate how I look in that photo,” closely followed by, “There are no good pictures of me from my vacation.” I was one of those women, yet I cringed a little when a friend suggested the solution was to hire a professional to do a Chefchaouen photoshoot. If you have followed me for a minute, you know you likely won’t see me in fancy flying dresses and highly stylized pics. But I really wanted some nice pics of my kiddo and me, so I finally decided to try the idea of a professional vacation photoshoot.
What better place to do this than the Blue City of Chefchaouen. It’s impossible to look up Morocco without finding countless pictures of this city. Not only is it a photographer’s dream, but it’s full of friendly people, delicious eats, and is easy to explore on foot.
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All about Chefchaouen
Chefchaouen (pronounced ‘shef-shoo-an’), or ‘Chaouen’ to the locals who call this town home, is nestled between peaks of the Rif mountains – Chefchaouen means “Look at the peaks”. Famous for the dreamy shades of blue that blanket the buildings of the town’s medina, it’s become known as the Blue City or the Blue Pearl of Morocco.
Dating back to 1471, when the town was a base for Berber tribes, today around 45,000 people call Chefchaouen home (though only a few thousand live and work within the historic walls of the medina). The town was very isolated until Spanish troops occupied it in the 1920s. It’s not clear when the signature blue hues were adopted and why, but there is no question that the effect is soothing. Consequently, it’s no surprise that modern-day Chefchaouen offers travelers a respite from the larger, busier cities of Northern Morocco.
Getting to Chouen can be a little tricky, as it does not have a dedicated airport nor a direct train stop. One of the easiest and most comfortable solutions is to hire a private taxi from Tangier, which will take about 2 ½ hours by road. Alternatively, if you are coming from the larger city of Fez, expect a longer drive of about 4 hours
Why do a photoshoot in Chefchaouen?
Chefchaouen is an Instagram dream and no doubt, one of the most photographed places in Morocco. Like all medinas in Morocco, it is a maze of turns and staircases, archways and hidden alleys. However, this medina has a personality like no other, with the saturation of blue being both striking and visually distinctive. Accents of flowering vines and citrus trees heavy with fruit add vibrant editorial color to any Chefchaouen photoshoot. It is immediately Instagram-worthy!
Selecting a professional photographer
Since this was my first professional photoshoot while traveling, I spent time researching essential considerations. Once I connected with Soufian, I knew that he not only met all the professional criteria, but his easy-going personality would make this experience fun for both my son and me.
I think it is crucial to review sample work from the photographer you select to make sure that their aesthetic aligns with your vision. This will also give you a chance to read reviews from others. Consistently, the reviews for the photographer I selected mentioned how communicative and personable he was. I knew he would be a great fit!
For me, the priorities when selecting a local photographer were: familiarity with the medina, knowledge of less crowded spots, understanding where the best morning lighting would fall, and being able to assist me with posing.
I also wanted to select a photographer who was familiar with working with younger kids and would be able to capture both personality and relationship effectively. I discussed the length of the booking; I knew that the absolute maximum time that my son would cooperate would be about 90 minutes. The photographer would need to work fast. With this in mind, once you have a photographer you are considering, don’t be shy to message them in advance to discuss nuances like this.
You’ll need to make sure you understand how many pictures you can expect to receive after your photoshoot and agree on how and when you will receive them. (Note: a professional photographer is likely going to provide these using Dropbox or a shared drive in the cloud once they have reviewed and possibly edited the best photographs from your shoot)
Preparing for your photoshoot in the Blue City
Knowing in advance that I wanted to book a Chefchaouen photoshoot, I tried a few outfits at home that I thought would work with the background colors and would travel well (I hate ironing!). I chose this dress because it is so affordable, made from breathable knit fabric, and suits a wide range of body types. I also wanted to make sure that my son and I complemented each other without looking too “matched.”
If you haven’t settled on something beforehand or are booking your photoshoot while already traveling, you can absolutely find gorgeous, locally made outfits at the many shops in the medina of Chefchaouen itself, or in any other Moroccan city you visit. This is a nice way to incorporate the aesthetic of the place into your photos and support local businesses in the process.
Considering the color scheme of Chefchaouen, I’d recommend avoiding outfits in hues of blue. The streets and walls are so pronounced, you’ll easily blend into the background. I am no fashion stylist, but I suggest selecting outfits in bright, bold colors or subtle pastels.
Be mindful of the time of year: days in Chefchaouen heat up quickly, especially during the summer months (June, July, and August) when temperatures can reach nearly 100°F. In the cooler months, mornings tend to be brisk. Either way, early morning is the best time for your photoshoot, as the lighting in the medina is soft and a little sleepy. You’ll also avoid most tourists, and the streets are the cleanest. However, note that some shops might not be open yet if you’re keen to include them in your photos.
The medina is situated on the side of a hill, and the cobblestone streets can be uneven. With this in mind, consider footwear that is both comfortable and functional. I definitely do not recommend wearing heels!
And most definitely bring some water with you, no matter what time of year!
The day of your photoshoot
The Instagram-worthy appeal of Chefchaouen’s medina has made it immensely popular among tourists. Consequently, particularly during the high tourism season, be aware that other photoshoots may be taking place, even early in the day.
Soufian quickly noticed nuances about our personalities, such as my son’s obsession with the cats of the medina, and included this in our pictures. I believe this is a talent of truly skilled photographers. I encourage you to be unique and let your personal flair come through in your photos. They shouldn’t all look exactly like every other Chefchaouen photoshoot on Instagram.
Most of all, remember two crucial things: be respectful of the fact that these are people’s homes and stores. Do not misbehave, do not move items to suit your photo. Be mindful of residents who might not appreciate being in your photograph; always ask first (a quality professional photographer will surely do this). Secondly, respect the environment. The iconic medina of Chefchaouen is a recognized UNESCO site of importance, and as a visitor, you should feel obligated to help maintain this treasure.
What to expect after your photoshoot
Whoever you select as your photographer, if you feel they have provided a pleasant experience, I believe a reasonable tip is appropriate. This is particularly appropriate when someone is working with children and families, ensuring that all subjects in the photo appear relaxed.
If you schedule your photoshoot for the morning, you will still have plenty of time to continue exploring Chefchaouen for the rest of the day. You’ll also get a sneak peek as the vendors begin opening their stalls and can make a mental note of where you might like to return to shop.
Is it worth booking your professional photoshoot in Chefchaouen?
I’ll let you be the judge of these gorgeous images, but I can say that my Chefchaouen photoshoot experience definitely exceeded my expectations! I can’t wait to get some of these framed and put up in our home to remind us of our treasured time in Chefchaouen. More importantly, these photos will always bring me back to these core memories made with my son.
BOOK YOUR PROFESSIONAL PHOTOSHOOT in CHEFCHAOUEN NOW! For an incredibly reasonable price, your Chefchaouen photoshoot will leave you smiling at these photos for years to come, and they are the perfect personalized souvenir to take home. With Soufian, you’ll be in the most professional hands. Be sure to book your Chefchaouen photoshoot in advance. HAPPY ROAMING!
Stunning! How lovely, this experience. So grateful you have shared the importance of respect. It’s so easy to forget how we might be invading another’s boundaries. Well done.
Greatly appreciate your kind words, Kristen.