Morocco with Ari Espay

Morocco’s rich history, multicultural population and striking contrasts make it a fascinating country. Our workshop will start in the Imperial City of Fes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where we will spend a few days at a 5 star hotel. Fes is a magical place, the labyrinth streets of the medina are a photographer's paradise. We'll then head down to the Sahara where we will spend 2 nights sleeping under the stars (in biovacs- they are really nice - hot showers, electricity – think ‘Glamping” in the desert). At night, we'll dance and sing in drum circles around a campfire. We'll snake our way through the Atlas Mountains, and Ouarzazate  (the Hollywood of Morocco) and Ait Bennhadou and end in Marrakesh, another UNESCO site. Evenings in the incredible and frenzied Jemaa el Fnaa (yep, snake charmers) and a morning at Yves St. Laurent’s magnificent and enchanting Jardin Majorelle finish out our adventure.

 

Photography Workshop

DATES | 9 DAYS

October 14-22, 2027

 

 (9 days/8 nights)  

 

 

PRICE

$6,645 per person  

Companion fee $3,375 (staying in the same room)

WHAT'S INCLUDED?

  • 8 Nights in luxury accommodations
  • On location classes, demos, and assistance in the field
  • 5 Classes/edit & critique sessions
  • All breakfasts
  • 4 Dinners
  • 3 Lunches
  • All local transportation
  • Travel, landscape, architecture, festival, and people photography

 

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED?

  • Round trip airfare to and from Morocco
  • Additional excursions for Companions not listed in our itinerary (though we will happily help with suggestions and arrangements)
  • Additional nights before or after the start and finish of the Workshop
  • Travel Insurance
  • Some meals

 

OUR LOCATIONS

  • Fes & the medina
  • Meknes, the Roman ruins of Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site 
  • The sand dunes, visiting the nomadic families
  • Quarzazate, Ait Benhaddou, another UNESCO site & the Atlas Mountains
  • Marrakesh, the Jemaa el Fnaa Square, Garden Majorelle, the souks and markets

 

These locations are tentative and may change depending on weather and spontaneous photographic opportunities.

 

OUR HOTELS

Our accommodations are upscale boutique hotels in the 4 and 5 star category.

 

While we are in Fes, we are staying in the heart of the medina at the 5 star Laaroussa, a 17th century restored palace.

 

When we are out in the desert, we will be glamping in style at the renowned Desert Luxury Camp. 

 

While in Marrakesh, we will be in the heart of the city at the Riad Angsana, a short walk from the magical Jemaa el- Fnaa.

 

WHO IS THIS WORKSHOP RIGHT FOR?

  • People with a sense of adventure who want to experience an extraordinary workshop in one of the most remote and wild places on earth - before it is gone
  • Amateur, enthusiast, and semi-pro photographers looking to build their portfolio
  • Photographers who love travel and learning about other cultures
  • Photographers interested in learning more about making portraits as well as documenting celebrations and festivals
  • DSLR, mirrorless, compact camera users

 

TRAVEL INSURANCE

We strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance for your trip.

In addition to medical coverage, a good travel insurance policy can help protect you in the event of trip cancellation or interruption, lost or stolen luggage, camera equipment and personal belongings, personal liability, emergency dental treatment, medical evacuation, and repatriation.

 

And, while we don’t mean to sound morbid, it’s also worth making sure your policy includes repatriation in the event of death. Unfortunately, getting someone home from overseas can be extraordinarily expensive.

 

Most importantly, please read your policy carefully, including all exclusions and coverage limits, before purchasing.Not all travel insurance policies are created equal, and we particularly recommend confirming that your policy provides adequate trip cancellation and interruption coverage, as well as coverage for any valuable photography equipment you will be bringing with you.

 

A little time spent understanding your coverage before you leave can make an enormous difference if something unexpected happens along the way.

 

HOW DO I REGISTER?

We provide personalized service and you can sign up for a workshop by emailing us directly at liza@lizapoliti.com

 

Sign Up Via Email

About Ari Espay

Award-winning photographer, Ari Espay, has shot documentary pieces, campaigns and editorial essays for magazines in the US and all over South America including; Architectural Digest, Vogue Latin America, Que Pasa, and ED. He has worked for Maybelline, Gillette, Corpbanca and Ferouch and has shot portraits for Presidents, internationally known actors, Emmy Award winning directors, Broadway performers, politicians and high profile business people. Ari has won Chile’s prestigious Fondart Grant, was a finalist in National Geographic’s Photo Competition, “Luces de America” and in 2018, 2021, 2022 he was a ‘CHOSEN Winner’ in Latin American AI-AP. He has received an Honorable Mention in IPA's Deeper Perspective Category in 2023 for his series, "Butterfly Children".

With numerous gallery exhibitions, Ari’s most recent show, “A Glimpse of Southeast Asia” was featured at the Galleria d’Arte Moderna, a museum in Cento, Italy. Other exhibitions include; “Mingalabar Myanmar”(Rome and Bologna, Italy) and “The Faces of EB” in New York City. He has published 4 books. As a photographer, his work can be seen in "Colors of San Miguel" and he was the editor for Erin Feinberg’s "Diehards"(2013) with foreword by Bruce Springsteen and afterword by Neil Peart and for the multi-award winning, “2020 Unmasked”. For 10 years, he taught photography workshops for National Geographic, working with their legendary photographers.   

www.ariespayphotographer.com

 

 

About Liza & Ari

Fancy Girl Street Boy Productions (FGSB) launched in December 2004. We have shot documentary pieces, campaigns and editorial essays for magazines in the US and all over Latin America, as well as portraits for internationally known actors, Emmy Award winning directors, Broadway performers, Presidents, politicians and high profile business people. We have also produced films for PBS. In addition to shooting, for more than a decade, we produced workshops for Santa Fe and photography expeditions for National Geographic. Since then, we have run more than 130 workshops in 24 countries around the globe in exotic locations like Morocco and Mongolia, bustling cities like Florence and Barcelona, the ancient temples of Angkor Wat, Cambodia and Bagan, Myanmar and chic islands like St. Lucia.

 

 

Additional Info

WEATHER | SUNRISE/SUNSET

October – Temps 78/54 F  

 

Sunrise 6:30am | Sunset 6:00pm 

 

TRAVEL INFORMATION

*Please note this workshop will start in Fes and end in Marrakesh. Please make travel arrangements accordingly.

 

Arrival Airport: Fès- Saïss Airport (FEZ)

Transfer from the airport to downtown Fes will take 20-30 minutes depending on traffic.

 

Departure Airport: Marrakesh Menara Airport (RAK)

Transfer from the airport to downtown Marrakesh will take 20 minutes or so depending on traffic.

 

 

FUN FACTS

The University of Al-Karaouine in Fez was founded in 859 AD, making it the oldest continuously operating university in the world. It has been recognized by UNESCO and Guinness World Records.

 

Morocco has four historic imperial cities: Rabat, Fez, Marrakech, and Meknes. The capital city of Morocco is Rabat, located on the Atlantic coast. Meknes is located in northern central Morocco and is the sixth-largest city by population. 

 

Fez is one of the oldest medieval cities in the world and was the capital of Morocco until 1912. The Medina of Fez is one of Morocco’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites and is made up of around 10,000 alleyways that are too narrow for cars. Mules or carts are used to move items around the medina, or old city.

 

Marrakesh is famous for its bustling souks (markets), full of tantalizing food stalls, snake charmers and buildings with intricate patterns. Marrakech is the cultural capital of Morocco and known as ‘the Red City’ because all buildings must be red by law. Historically the buildings were made from red clay.

 

Morocco became the first African and Arab nation to reach the FIFA World Cup semi-finals in 2022 and the quarter finals in 2026.

 

The national drink is mint tea and is affectionately nicknamed "Berber whiskey". It serves as a vital symbol of hospitality.

 

Morocco has the second-oldest ruling dynasty in the world.  The current royal family has been in power since 1631. The House of Shorafa Aloui claims descent from the Islamic Prophet Muhammad. The current king of Morocco is Mohammed VI, 23rd in his line. He ascended to the throne in 1999. Morocco’s national holiday is Throne Day on July 30th each year marking the day that their king, Mohammed VI, took the throne.

 

Morocco was a French protectorate between 1912 and 1956. Morocco became a constitutional monarchy in 1957. The official name of Morocco is the Kingdom of Morocco.

 

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