The best part of travel photography, for me, is capturing images of culture. There is nothing I love more than being completely immersed in a place with culture so vibrant and new to me. While living in Morocco for three months, I have been photographing the life and culture of the medinas.
A medina is the historical old town of a city in Morocco and other northern African countries. They are full of tight alleyways, high walls, colorful storefronts, warm street food, and people. They are also free of cars, which make them an easy place to spend the day wandering around and photographing.
Vegetables. I took this photo in the medina of Casablanca. Casablanca is a huge, busy city and their medina reflects this with its buzzing activity. Most of the visitors here are locals, coming to shop for their produce.
Three women by the seashore. This photo was taken by the entrance to the medina in oceanside town of Essaouira. It was nearing the end of the day, and all the locals and their families were gathering to watch the sunset.
The Street performer. This is another photo taken by the entrance of the medina in Essaouira. It was a busy sunday and everyone was walking around the square to talk or watch street performers.
El Jadida Storefront. This photo is of a handicraft store in the medina of El Jadida. The old city was relatively small but made for a lovely quiet walk.
So many shoes! A colorful shoe shop in Essaouira.
Rug vendors. Vibrant woven rugs for sale in Essaouira.
Herbs. I found this man selling medicinal herbs in his small shop in Essaouira. Many people swear by the herbs to cure every ailment from a cough to a cold to migraines.
Handicraft shop. I saw this shop in a small city in the Atlas Mountains. Most of the goods are leather or silver handicraft souvenirs for tourists.
Boy and the seagulls. A young boy looks out at the ocean in Essaouira.
Blue doors in the medina. Men and boys stop to chat in one of Essaouira’s medinas many white and blue back streets.
Blue and Plants. A quaint home with beautiful blue accents in El Jadida.
Izabel Antle is a member of the Youth Travel Blogging Mentorship Program. She's traveling the world with her family.
Photos courtesy and copyright Izabel Antle