On Set Photographer for The Lost Kingdom of Arabia
Behind the Scenes in Morocco
I recently worked as the unit stills and behind-the-scenes photographer on The Lost Kingdom of Arabia, a feature documentary produced by Lion TV (London, UK) and Dune Films.
Filming took place at Dune Films’ studio outside Marrakech, as well as in the desert landscapes surrounding the city. On a production of this scale, a photographer must operate as part of the crew never as an obstacle.
A Photographer Who Understands Film Sets
My background in film production with early experience as a electrician and 2nd AC, shapes how I work on set.
I understand lighting setups, blocking, lens direction, and crew movement. That knowledge allows me to anticipate shots, avoid eyelines, and stay invisible during live takes. Long shooting days and tight schedules are standard in this environment. Efficiency is expected.
Silent Workflow, Zero Disruption
For this production, I worked with dual Nikon mirrorless systems in full silent mode.
In documentary filmmaking, sound is critical. Shooting silently allowed me to capture hero marketing stills during active scenes without compromising audio. Whether inside the Marrakech studio builds or tracking action sequences in the desert, the objective remained the same: document the production without interfering with it.
Studio Precision & Desert Scale
The two environments demanded different approaches:
Studio near Marrakech Controlled sets, limited space, high coordination. Timing and spatial awareness were essential.
Desert Locations outside Marrakech Harsh overhead light, dust, wind, and large-scale action. Here, the focus shifted to scale: modern cinema rigs operating within historical recreations.
Why Work with a Local Moroccan Photographer
For international productions filming in Morocco, working with a professional Moroccan photographer who understands both the terrain and the structure of a film set improves efficiency.
I bridge production logistics with visual documentation, delivering usable marketing stills and behind-the-scenes photography that reflect the scale and discipline of the shoot.
The Lost Kingdom of Arabia was a complex undertaking. These images document the coordination and craftsmanship required to bring history to screen in Morocco.
