Bold & Conscious Storytelling
ABOUT
Emmy Award-winning director and cinematographer with a background in illustration and storytelling. Specialized in documentary filmmaking, underwater adventure, and martial arts.
Background & Accomplishments
Darlien Morales’ poignant storytelling and environmental filmmaking specialty to merge the gap between science and media led her to win three EMMYs, a Brand USA, ASTA Platinum awards, and more. With vast experience, and internationally premiered projects about conservation, history, eco-tourism, and education, Darlien stands out as one of the few female underwater camera operators and cinematographers from the Caribbean. Her works have screened at South By South West, Blue Ocean Film Festival, Jackson Wild Summit, Bad Bunny Concerts, and Apple TV’s USA Today. When not making films or exploring nature, she is drawing or performing martial arts. Last year, Darlien won four medals at the International Chinese Martial Arts Competition in Orlando with the traditional Eagle Claw style. Her illustrations have made it to book covers, scholarship auctions, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services programs to protect endangered species. Darlien values mobility and creativity throughout her lifestyle.
Reel
Current Work
Darlien will make her feature length directorial debut with a coming-of-age documentary about Puerto Rico’s wildlife in 2026. She is collaborating with local and international entities to promote underwater (and adventure) camera educational programs. As member of the "Asociación de Documentalistas de Puerto Rico," she seeks to promote the development of non-fiction cinema. Darlien travels constantly, but has a base in Puerto Rico.
Watching: Short of the Week
Reading: The Marginalian Blog
Listening: The Tim Ferris Show
Lifestyle & Passions
Crafting meaningful stories that uncover something new about what it means to be human - specially within a natural world. Bringing people together to inspire hope, awareness, and action. Getting moved by and collaborating with organizations and individuals that educate and work for environmental conservation and sustainable living. Watching Chasing Light and having Nat Geo Wild marathons. Hiking, scuba diving, and traveling. Enjoying theatre, music, and time-lapse photography. Everything and anything ocean related. Observing animal behavior or petting animals that don't belong to me. Going for extremely dark chocolate.
Underwater
One of the few, if not the only, female Underwater Cinematographers from the Caribbean.
Reel
Client Stories
HONDA HR-V Publicity.
Thais Catalá - Cinematographer
Darlien Morales - Safety Diver & Camera Expert
Uncharted Adventures Series - Puerto Rico Episode.
The Weather Channel
Darlien Morales - Director of Photography
Eat, Drink, Share PUERTO RICO.
La Mafia, Puerto Rico
Darlien Morales - Underwater Camera Operator
Certifications
PADI Dive Master /Rescue Diver / Nitrox
SSI Rescue Diver
PDIC Advanced Scuba Diver
NASE Open Water
Drone (FAA)
CPR & First Aid
Motion Portfolio
Directing
Stories of authenticity and poignancy
Adaptability, connection, and empathy that allows to collaborate with and direct celebrities like Daddy Yanquee, Roselyn Sanchez, Dayanara Torres, local business owners, and many others.
Music and Puerto Rico - Series currently Nominated for a Directing Emmy (2023).
Darlien Morales - Director & Producer
Shake my Beauty - The Make-up Artist with Bones Like Glass Episode.
Darlien Morales - Director & Producer
Piece for the “Exhilio Intellectual” exposition at the at National Library of Madrid, Spain.
Darlien Morales - Director & Producer
Live Boricua Campaign, winner of ASTA Platinum award, among others
Darlien Morales - 2nd Unit Director & Producer
Sounds like Puerto Rico - Web series won three Emmys for producing, photography and editing - and received two Emmy nominations for directing and writing (2021).
Darlien Morales - Producer (all series), Director, Writer, & Cinematographer (per episodes)
Behind the scenes content capture for Dick Clark’s First NYE in Puerto Rico.
Darlien Morales - Director & Producer
Beneath Paradise - winner of multiple best short documentary film awards. Showcased at Blue Ocean Film Festival.
Darlien Morales - Director & Producer
Aguadilla Municipality’s “Ven a Aguadilla, tráete tu silla” publicity campaign - video showcased nationally.
Darlien Morales - Director, Producer & Underwater Camera
Cinematography
Striking visuals with bold subjects
Traveled to many locations to connect with the environment and the lifestyle. Synchronicity with the wildlife, history, and landscapes of remote places.
Trumpeters of The Rockies - Jackson Wild Media Lab production. Showcased at the Jackson Wild Summit.
Darlien Morales - Cinematographer, Director, & Producer
Chocolate in Danger - short film about the importance of cacao.
Darlien Morales - Cinematographer
τεχνολογία Antikythera Mechanism - the past and present told through the story of the Antikythera Mechanism, the world’s first computer. Nominated for a Student Academy Award.
Darlien Morales - Cinematographer
Mona, the Galapagos of the Caribbean.
Darlien Morales - Cinematographer & Producer
Sanctuary Sharks - the importance of the marine apex predator. Won Jury Award at the Savannah Film Festival.
Darlien Morales - Cinematographer & Co-Director
Las Cavernas de Camuy - re-aperture of Puerto Rico’s iconic cave system after 3 years of no operation due to Hurricane Maria’s strike.
Darlien Morales - Cinematographer
Stills Portfolio
vibrant Stories frozen in time
Commissioned by sport, travel, tourism, and just bold believers’ brands. Limited edition prints coming soon!
Underwater
Landscape
Wildlife
Live Events
Publicity Campaigns
Speaking Engagement
Impact of Storytelling and cinematic language
As Seen On Press
Services
Video/Photo
Compelling storytelling skills for every aspect of production.
Ideation
Not sure how to start your idea? Let us take care of that.
Outreach
Story, art, and science facilitated workshops, presentations and consultations.
Illustration
Unique designs for book cover art, murals and more.
Contact
E-mail: hello@darlienmorales.com
Blog
What I wish I knew: Lessons and tips from the field
Featured
Underwater Cinematography
6 Steps for beginners
ALL POSTS
The following 6 Steps are intended to help guide someone that has no idea how to begin. In a way, you can say it is me talking to my younger self - recommending books, basic gear, breaking down some real life scenarios, and so on. It is an overview that can help you get into the right mindset with clear expectations and goals.