If you’re planning your next shoot in Morocco, or anywhere hot and dusty, preparation is everything.
We spent four days in Marrakech and the surrounding desert — a mix of direct sun, dry air, and fine dust that gets into everything. Here are a few lessons learned (and the gear that saved us).

Dust Control — The Turbine Blower

We brought a turbine blower, and it turned out to be the best thing on the trip.
Forget canned air — this one moves serious volume and clears dust from lenses, filters, and even cables in seconds. When working on set in sandy terrain, it’s the difference between clean gear and disaster.

Screen Visibility — MacBook with Micro-Textured Glass

If you’re shooting tethered, a MacBook with the micro-textured display is a must.
It cuts reflections and glare dramatically, even under direct sunlight. Pair it with a small carbon shade or hood, and you can see your exposure clearly without covering yourself in black cloth.

Cables & Connectors — What Survives the Sand

We used the Pantera 10 Gbit USB-C tether cable — it held up flawlessly through dust, heat, and being dragged over sand.
Still, one word of caution: don’t drop the connectors into the ground.
If sand does get inside, you can clear it with the SIM-card eject tool from an iPhone. It’s precise enough to remove individual grains without damaging the pins.  It happened to us, and the cables kept working.

Gear & Weather — What to Pack

• Hat & UV-protective clothing — the sun is intense even in autumn.

• Light jacket — evenings cool down fast.

• Collers or icepacks — if you’re shooting in summer, especially with high-heat cameras like the Fujifilm GFX, keep your equipment temperature-safe.

• Extra microfiber cloths — they’ll save your screens and lenses from constant dust buildup.

Local Notes — Language & Production Crew

Learning a few Arabic phrases goes a long way when you’re navigating markets or working with local teams.
People were incredibly kind and helpful throughout the trip — our local production crew in Marrakech kept everything moving smoothly, from location scouting to last-minute logistics.

Takeaway

Morocco is demanding but rewarding. The light is sharp, the colors rich, and the texture of every frame feels alive.
If you plan ahead — protect your gear, bring airflow, manage heat — you’ll come back with incredible images and your equipment intact.