Marrakech Photography Weekend
13β16 February 2026 Β· 3 nights Β· Small group (max 8β10) Β· All single rooms
Imagine trading grey skies for gold!Β For three winter days youβll ride the light through medina alleys, catch silhouettes against the Koutoubia, read geometry in tiled courtyards, and end with desert lines at sunset.
You and a small group of kindred photographers move through Marrakech at sunrise and sunset, guided by Roland & Rob β two tutors whoβll keep you in the best light, help you see like an editor, and bring you back to the riad to shape your work into a story.
Three nights. Golden hours every day. Street, silhouettes, geometry, portraits. Shoot with purpose, learn by doing, and leave with a coherent body of work β not just a memory card!
Destination: Marrakech, Morocco
Dates: 13β16 February 2026
Price: Β£1,195 per person (single room for every guest)
Level: All welcome
Fitness: Low (comfortable walking)
Leaders: Roland Pokrywka & Rob Irving
(Rob has led Marrakech workshops three timesβhe knows the light, lanes and calm spots when the medina is busy.)
Book / ask a question: [email protected]
Why book Marrakech Photo weekend!
- February is perfect. Mild days, soft winter light, blue-hour warmth β an uplifting break from grey skies without the summer crowds.
- Learn by doing!Β We time everything around sunrise and sunset. Mornings for quiet streets and clean silhouettes; evenings for rooftop layers and ambient glow. We shoot together all day, meeting mid-day in riad to review, edit, get feedback.
- Two tutors, one small group. You get eyes on your frames, in the moment. Weβll help you find compositions faster and make stronger choices under pressure.
- Shoot more, stress less. Marrakech is alive and unpredictable; our plan is flexible on purpose so weβre always where the light and action are best.
- A calm base to reset. Our central riad gives you quiet pockets, good breakfasts, and a comfortable edit space between shoots.
- Come home with a story. Not just a folder of βnice shots.β Each day we cull, sequence, and refine so you leave with a tight, shareable set: 8β12 frames that belong together.
- We look after the essentials. Single rooms for everyone, airport transfers, key entries, breakfasts and the desert sunset drive are sortedβno faff, no nickel-and-diming.
- Local rhythm, ethical approach. We work respectfully with people and places β small gratuities handled by us; portrait guidance that builds connection, not awkwardness.
Whatβs included:
- 3 nights in a central riad β single room for each guest
- Daily breakfasts (3)
- Private airport transfers (in & out)
- Agafay Desert sunset excursion (private driver/vehicle; no bundled camp dinner)
- Key entry fees for selected historic sites/courtyards we visit
- Guided sunrise & sunset shoots each full day
- Group edit/critique sessions during mid-day light
- Local tourist taxes
Not included: flights, lunches, dinners, drinks/alcohol, travel insurance, personal expenses.
Provisional, shoot-first itinerary
We keep Marrakech flexible β crowds, light and access change by the hour. Below are the places weβre most likely to visit and why theyβre strong photographically. We may swap on the day so weβre always in the best light.
Day 1 β Friday: Arrivals & Sunset Layers
PM Β· Private transfers β riad welcome (mint tea, etiquette & gear chat).
Sunset Β· Jemaa el-Fnaa rooftops for layered crowd scenes, smoke and silhouettes; long-lens compression that βfeelsβ like Marrakech.
Why: punchy colour, human rhythm, graphic silhouettes as the sun drops.
Day 2 β Saturday: Medina Classics, Geometry & Blue Hour
Sunrise Β· Koutoubia & city walls β clean silhouettes and warm first light; slow-shutter pans of early commuters.
Morning Β· Ben Youssef & nearby alleys β symmetry, repeating arches, textures for mono; shafts of light in side streets.
Mid-day Β· Group edit/critique at the riad (calm, cool, focused).
Afternoon Β· Bahia Palace or Dar el Bacha (chosen on the day) for zellij, reflections and CPL control.
Golden β Blue hour Β· Le Jardin Secret or our rooftop for ambient vs. artificial-light balance.
Why: teach composition and colour harmony where architecture helps you see.
Day 3 β Sunday: People, Patterns & Desert Light
Sunrise Β· Souk des Teinturiers (Dyersβ Quarter) & artisan lanes β colour blocks of dyed yarn, directional slatted light, motion studies in tight spaces.
Late morning Β· Ethical portrait window β respectful portraits with pre-arranged locals or artisans; simple reflectors; small gratuities handled by us.
Afternoon β Sunset Β· Agafay Desert (transport included) β negative space and graphic ridgelines; optional camel silhouettes; clean horizons for minimalist frames.
(Optional add-on: dunes camp dinner – only if the group wants it.)
Why: a different visual palette – silence, line and form.
Day 4 β Monday: Bonus Sunrise & Departures
Optional quick sunrise top-up near the riad; private transfers to the airport.
Alternates we may swap in (light/access dependent): Bab Agnaou & Kasbah gates (strong geometry); Rahba Kadima (spice square) for colour harmonies; brief/optional tanneries (documentary textures; intense); Jardin Majorelle (timed early entry, tripod limits – only if feasible); Ourika/Atlas as weather back-up to Agafay.
What youβll learn (and practise every day)
- Layering & timing in busy scenes
- Silhouettes & minimalism (designing with light and shape)
- Symmetry, balance & reflections in courtyards
- Environmental portraits with respect and rapport
- Golden-hour and blue-hour exposure without fuss
- Edit & curation: building a tight 8β12 image story in Lightroom/Photoshop
- Best camera settings and metering modes for different scenes
- How to shoot panoramic landscapes and cityscapes
- Low light and night photography
- and so much more!
Accommodation
Our base is a beautifully restored riad tucked inside the old medina β leafy patio at its heart, rooftop terraces for sunrise coffee, and a serene corner set aside for our edit/crit sessions. Weβre just steps from the souks, yet itβs calm when you need it. Youβll have your own private room (no awkward sharing) and breakfast is included each morning β simple, fresh, unhurried.
See photos & reviews on Airbnb – https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/45063304
Bookings & how to secure your place
Ready to join us? Email [email protected]
with the subject βMarrakech 2026β and include in your message your full name and mobile number. Weβll reply with a short form and payment link.
Price:Β Β£1,195 per person β single room for every guest (max 8β10 guests).
How booking works:
- Hold your spot: reply βIβm inβ to [email protected]
- Deposit: pay Β£300 to secure your place.
- Balance: due 45 days before the trip. Weβll send a reminder and an invoice.
Payment options: bank transfer (GBP) or debit/credit card (Stripe).
Currency: all prices are in GBP.
Whatβs included (quick recap)
Single room (3 nights) Β· daily breakfasts Β· private airport transfers (in/out) Β· Agafay Desert sunset excursion (transport only) Β· key entry fees Β· guided sunrise & sunset shoots Β· mid-day edit/crit sessions Β· local tourist taxes.
Not included: flights, lunches, dinners, drinks/alcohol, travel insurance, personal expenses.
Optional add-ons: hosted rooftop dinner; Agafay dunes camp dinner; small-group model/portrait session (if available).
Key terms (simple & fair)
- Minimum numbers: the workshop runs with 6+ guests (max 8β10).
- Deposit: fully refundable for 14 days after payment, then non-refundable (but transferable to another person if you find a replacement).
- Balance: refundable up to 45 days before the trip (minus Β£75 admin) or 100% if we can fill your place from the waitlist; non-refundable inside 45 days.
- If we have to adjust: Marrakech is wonderfully dynamic. We may swap locations or reorder days to follow the best light; inclusions remain the same.
- Insurance: travel/medical insurance that covers your camera gear is required.
Questions before you book? Just email Roland – [email protected]
βweβre happy to help with flight timings, packing, or anything else.
Getting there (flights to Marrakech β RAK)
Marrakech is easy from Londonβnon-stop in about 3.5 hours.
Airlines & airport: From London Gatwick (LGW) youβll typically find multiple options with easyJet, British Airways, and Wizz Air. There are also occasional services from other London airportsβfeel free to ask if youβd like us to check typical timings.
When to arrive/depart:
Arrive Friday ideally before 15:00 so you can settle in and join our sunset shoot.
Depart Monday late morning or afternoon to allow an optional sunrise and an unhurried breakfast.
Baggage tip: Most low-cost fares are cabin-bag only β add a checked bag if youβre bringing a tripod or extras. Otherwise, a small camera kit + laptop in carry-on is perfect.
Transfers: Weβll meet you at Marrakech Menara (RAK) and take you directly to the riad (included). If you arrive outside the group window, weβll arrange a private pick-up at the same rate.
Documents & insurance: Ensure your passport has at least 3 monthsβ validity from your return date and travel insurance covers your kit. Entry rules can change β please check the latest guidance for your nationality before booking.
Read important information about who is organising the trip
This photography weekend is organised privately by Roland Pokrywka and Rob Irving as independent photographers. It is not operated by DSLR Photography Courses Ltd and not sold as a package holiday or a package under the UK Package Travel Regulations. We provide photography tuition and on-the-ground coordination only.
Insurance & responsibility
- You participate at your own risk and must arrange your own comprehensive travel insurance (medical, cancellation/curtailment, personal liability, and camera/equipment cover). We may ask for proof of insurance before the trip.
- You are responsible for your own flights and for complying with passport/visa/entry requirements.
What we provide (and may adjust)
- We coordinate the riad booking, airport transfers, selected site entry fees, an Agafay sunset transport and our tuition.
- Marrakech is dynamic. For safety, light, weather or access reasons we may reorder days, change locations or timings. Inclusions remain equivalent.
Health, conduct & local rules
- Light walking on uneven surfaces is required. Please tell us in advance about any medical conditions or dietary needs.
- You agree to follow local laws and cultural etiquette and to take sensible care of yourself, your belongings and your equipment.
- Drones are generally not permitted; photography restrictions at some sites apply.
Liability
- To the fullest extent permitted by law, our total liability to you is limited to the amount you have paid for the workshop. We are not liable for flight issues, force majeure events, personal injury/illness, loss, theft or damage to you or your property, or any consequential losses.
- Unused services are non-refundable.
Cancellations & minimum numbers (summary)
- Minimum group: 6 guests (max 8β10).
- Deposit and balance timings/refunds as stated in the Bookings section.
By booking you confirm that you have read and accept the above, and that you will arrange adequate travel and equipment insurance for the trip.






