Morocco: Yassine, part 3

In the summer of 2019 I was in Paris for 2 different client shoots, but there were a couple weeks or so between the shoots. Morocco had been on my mind (and on my list) for quite some time and I decided this was a great opportunity to make my way south through Spain and then hop a ferry over to Morocco. I was traveling solo and was looking forward to spending the time by myself exploring a bit, taking photos and seeing if I'd have any luck in meeting some local guys to shoot.

I stayed in Tangier for a week and then took an overnight train to Marrakech. After a couple days of wandering aimlessly and taking countless photos of medinas and mysterious narrow alleyways, I fired up my Grindr and there was Yassine. My profile stated that I'm a photographer and of course I also provided links to my social media to show I'm legit and people can see my work and if they want to take part. I wasn't sure how a nude photo shoot proposal would be received in a conservative muslim country, but this guy was all in and more than willing.

We found a time and day that worked for both of us and he invited me over to his place to make it happen. Usually I would be hesitant or just altogether against going to a stranger's house in a country such as this, having met this person on an app like Grindr, but something in our chats thus far told me to trust him and just go for it.

I arrived via taxi at his place as he stood in the doorway and waved me over. I followed him inside and upstairs to the living room. We made small talk and introduced ourselves as I scoped out the place and the lighting. The lighting was horrible - not just low lighting, but florescent to boot. There was very little natural light coming in and I just wasn't feeling it at all. I asked if he had a patio or rooftop access or something we could utilize. We made our way up to the roof and took refuge in the shade while I assessed the location and got my ideas. All of the surrounding houses and buildings in the  neighborhood were the same height or less, so we really didn't have to worry about any offended onlookers. We shot for just an hour or so before the sun was too high in the sky and the heat was too unbearable. It was a really easy-going and laid back shoot that was fun, but even more exciting because it was taking place on some stranger's rooftop in Morocco! This is a prime example of why I don't like to make real plans when I travel. I like to have the freedom and open-endedness to let things happen in a natural and spontaneous way. I also am a believer that chances are meant to be taken and having regrets is not how I want to live. I had no contacts whatsoever prior to arriving in Morocco and had no guys lined up to shoot. By the end of the trip I had done 3 shootsthere. Was it wise and safe to go to a stranger's house who I met on Grindr in this foreign place? Probably not, but it worked out for the best and I'm glad I did.

Lastly, my friends and family back home were a little worried for me and felt pity because it was also my birthday and they didn't want me to spend it alone. Turns out I didn't 😎

Marrakech, Morocco, May 2019