Weekly Artist Feature | Daniel Morel

Daniel Morel, born in Haiti in 1951, is a renowned photojournalist celebrated for his powerful documentation of Haiti's social and political landscape. His career spans over two decades, during which he has captured pivotal moments in Haitian history, including coups d'état, presidential transitions, and natural disasters. Morel's work gained international acclaim following the 2010 Haiti earthquake, where his compelling images brought global attention to the devastation and resilience of the Haitian people.

His photographs have been featured in prominent publications such as The New York Times, Vanity Fair, and The Wall Street Journal. Morel's dedication to authentic storytelling has earned him numerous accolades, including a Citation for Excellence from the Overseas Press Club of America and the AP Award of Excellence. Beyond photography, he has contributed to documentary filmmaking, co-producing works like "Unfinished Country" and "When the Drum is Beating," which delve into Haiti's political and cultural narratives. Morel continues to influence the field of photojournalism with his unwavering commitment to capturing the truth and spirit of his homeland.

‍

Click here to learn more about the artist →

‍

Highlights: 

• Morel gained international recognition for being among the first photojournalists to share harrowing and intimate images from the devastating 2010 earthquake. His photos were used globally and are considered among the most important early visuals from the disaster.
• During his 14-year tenure as the resident photographer for the Associated Press, Morel's exceptional work earned him the Associated Press Award of Excellence.
• Morel filed a high-profile lawsuit against AFP (Agence France-Presse) and Getty Images for using his earthquake images without permission. In 2013, a U.S. court awarded him $1.2 million, affirming photographers' rights in the digital age. The case set a major precedent for image copyright law, especially regarding social media.

Past Exhibitions

• "From Within and Without: The History of Haitian Photography" – NSU Art Museum, Fort Lauderdale, USA (2015)
• "SONJE (Remember)" – Atis Rezistans, Port-au-Prince, Haiti (2015)
• "Regards sur le Vodou" – Arts at the Armory, Somerville, MA, USA (2024)

Artworks