September in Morocco: A Visual Journey Through Craft, Culture, and Connection

A visual journey through Morocco’s rich traditions—from Rif pottery and wool washing in the Atlas Mountains to bustling souks and coastal fishing towns. This series captures the country’s artisans, hospitality, and untold cultural stories.

September in Morocco: A Visual Journey Through Craft, Culture, and Connection

Morocco is a land of contrasts—where ancient traditions and modern life weave together in an intricate tapestry. Through my lens, September in Morocco captures the depth of this vibrant country, going deeper to reveal the artisans, traditions, and stories that breathe life into its culture and traditions.

From the labyrinthine alleys of Fez, where history whispers through its ancient medina, to the serene heights of Mount Sidi Masoud in the Rif Mountains, where I spent a day with Zhour and her family learning the sacred ancestral art of Rif pottery—each moment was a step deeper into Morocco’s soul. I witnessed firsthand the process of gathering clay from the earth, painting each piece with natural pigments, and finally, firing them in an open-air kiln, a practice passed down for generations.

Nearby, in the mountain town of Ourtzagh, market days pulse with life—colorful stalls brimming with produce, smiling faces offering me endless bounties of melons to sample (and many more to take home).

High in the Atlas Mountains, I spent a day with Amazigh women, washing Siroua wool by hand in the river, then carding and spinning it into soft strands. This ancestral tradition, passed down through generations, is woven into daily life—each step a connection to the land, the past, and the craft that endures.

From the coastal charm of Essaouira, where fishermen pull in their daily catch and the scent of the sea fills the air, to the quiet moments in the countryside, where hospitality knows no bounds, my time in Morocco was shaped by encounters that went far beyond the surface. I was met with an overwhelming hospitality—never leaving a home hungry, never walking through a market without a gift of fruit pressed into my hands to welcome me to their home.

September in Morocco is more than a visual story; it is a collection of untold moments that define life in this extraordinary country. A place where craftsmanship is an extension of identity, where traditions remain sacred, and where every shop invites a conversation over mint tea, carrying centuries of wisdom. This series is not just about Morocco’s beauty but about its people—the artisans, weavers, farmers, and families who welcomed me into their world. It is an intimate portrait of a land with a depth far beyond what meets the eye.