Documentary Photography in Morocco: Capturing Harvard Business School Field Research

In January, I traveled to Casablanca, Morocco, for a specialized photography assignment with Harvard Business School. This project exemplifies the growing demand for documentary photography that captures authentic educational experiences in international settings, particularly as prestigious institutions expand their global learning initiatives.

The assignment involved documenting several student groups conducting field research for business proposals. Their methodology required interviewing residents throughout Casablanca for market research purposes—creating a dynamic, unpredictable environment ideal for documentary photography but challenging for consistent image capture.

This assignment presented unique challenges beyond typical documentary photography, with additional language barriers and cultural considerations significantly impacting the photographic approach. The student groups featured mixed gender compositions, which theoretically allowed female students to approach local women more easily. However, from my observational position, I noticed that groups of well-dressed foreign students approaching local women often triggered protective responses from nearby men—an important cultural dynamic that influenced both the students’ research and my photography strategy.

My primary objective involved capturing natural interactions without disrupting the research process or making subjects self-conscious. This presented a significant challenge given my physical appearance—standing approximately 1.89m tall with blonde hair made me conspicuous in Casablanca’s urban environment, even without visible camera equipment.

Despite these obstacles, experienced photographers can develop techniques to become visually “invisible” in various environments. This skill extends beyond physical concealment to include body language that minimizes perceived presence. The ability to blend into surroundings represents an essential skill in documentary photography, particularly when authentic human interactions are the primary subject matter.

The project’s support team proved invaluable throughout the assignment. Working closely with Christine Ferro and a local translator/guide allowed me to implement more effective photography strategies. On several occasions, I positioned these team members strategically to divert attention from my photography activities—a collaborative approach that yielded more natural, candid images.

As with most documentary assignments, the initial hours involved learning environmental limitations and establishing comfort levels. After this adjustment period, I found greater flexibility when photographing younger subjects, who generally demonstrated more openness to being photographed. This allowed for closer proximity and more intimate compositions as the day progressed.

The most satisfying segment of this assignment occurred in Casablanca’s Medina (old city), where the confined spaces required heightened awareness and agility. Despite these physical constraints, the area’s architectural angles and dramatic lighting variations created numerous compelling compositional opportunities. These environmental elements contributed significantly to the visual narrative, providing authentic context for the student’s research activities while creating visually dynamic documentary images.

This assignment demonstrates how educational institutions increasingly recognize the value of visual documentation for their international programs, creating interesting opportunities for photographers willing to navigate the complexities of cross-cultural documentary work.