The Rose Harvest

Each May in Kelâat M’Gouna, Morocco, women lead the rose harvest at dawn. This project honors their labor, resilience, and the fleeting ritual that binds community and land.

Each May, the people of Kelâat M’Gouna in Morocco celebrate the fleeting season of the Damask rose, prized for its fragrance. Shot entirely on 35mm film, this project follows the ritual from blooming fields to distillation, tracing the quiet beauty and collective labor that sustains the community.

At dawn, families move together through the fields, working quickly before the sun fades the blossoms’ scent. While men often join, the harvest is guided by women who carry knowledge passed down through generations. Their work sustains households and the local economy, making the harvest not only a seasonal rite but also a vital source of continuity and survival.

Through portraits and scenes of labor, I seek to honor the rhythm of the harvest and the women who preserve it. One morning, I walked with a woman who had once been crowned Rose Queen — her presence embodied memory, pride, and identity rooted in land and ritual.

The rose harvest lasts only a few short weeks, yet its meaning endures. It unites families, connects generations, and stands as a living expression of resilience and belonging. The Rose Harvest reflects on how communities transform something fleeting into memory and tradition that persists long after the petals fall.