MTV Video Music Award for Best Cinematography

MTV Video Music Award for Best Cinematography
Awarded for	Cinematography
Country	United States
Presented by	MTV
First awarded	1984
Last awarded	2020
Currently held by	Michael Merriman – "Rain on Me" by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande (2020)
Website	VMA website

The MTV Video Music Award for Best Cinematography is a craft award given to both the artist as well as the cinematographer/director of photography of the music video. From 1984 to 2006, the award's full name was Best Cinematography in a Video. After a brief absence in 2007, the category acquired its current, shortened name in 2008.

The biggest winner is Harris Savides with three wins. Pascal Lebègue, Daniel Pearl, Mark Plummer, and Scott Cunningham follow with two wins each. The most nominated director of photography is Daniel Pearl with nine nominations, followed by Martin Coppen and Christopher Probst with six. The performers whose videos have won the most awards are Madonna and Beyoncé. Madonna's videos have received the most nominations with ten. Ryan Lewis is also the only performer to have won a Moonman in this category for his work as a director of photography on the video for "Can't Hold Us" in 2013. Jared Leto ("Hurricane") is the only other performer to have been nominated for his work in this category.

Recipients

Year	Winner(s)	Work	Performer(s)	Nominees	Ref.
1984	Daniel Pearl	"Every Breath You Take"	The Police	"All Hell's Breakin' Loose" – Tony Mitchell and Jim Crispi (performed by Kiss) "Authority Song" – Daniel Pearl (performed by John Cougar Mellencamp) "China Girl" – John Metcalfe (performed by David Bowie) "Eyes Without a Face" – Tony Mitchell (performed by Billy Idol) "(She's) Sexy + 17" – Harry Lake (performed by Stray Cats)
1985	Pascal Lebègue	"The Boys of Summer"	Don Henley	"Go Insane" – Oliver Stapleton (performed by Lindsey Buckingham) "Heaven (version 2)" – Peter MacDonald (performed by Bryan Adams) "Like a Virgin" – Peter Sinclair (performed by Madonna) "Run to You" – Frank Gell (performed by Bryan Adams)
1986	Oliver Stapleton	"The Sun Always Shines on T.V."	a-ha	"Burning House of Love" – Ken Barrows (performed by X) "The Confessor" – Jan Kiesser and Ken Barrows (performed by Joe Walsh) "Rough Boy" – Chris Nibley (performed by ZZ Top) "Sex as a Weapon" – Peter Mackay (performed by Pat Benatar)
1987	Mark Plummer	"C'est la Vie"	Robbie Nevil	"Higher Love" – Peter Kagan (performed by Steve Winwood) "Papa Don't Preach" – Michael Ballhaus (performed by Madonna) "What's Going On" – Juan Ruiz Anchía (performed by Cyndi Lauper) "With or Without You" – Daniel Pearl and Matt Mahurin (performed by U2)
1988	Bill Pope	"We'll Be Together"	Sting	"Father Figure" – Peter Mackay (performed by George Michael) "Heaven Knows" – Steve Tickner (performed by Robert Plant) "Learning to Fly" – Gordon Minard (performed by Pink Floyd) "Luka" – Dariusz Wolski (performed by Suzanne Vega)
1989	Mark Plummer	"Express Yourself"	Madonna	"Roll with It" – Mark Plummer (performed by Steve Winwood) "Smooth Criminal" – John Hora (performed by Michael Jackson) "Twist in My Sobriety" – Jeff Darling (performed by Tanita Tikaram)
1990	Pascal Lebègue	"Vogue"	Madonna	"The End of the Innocence" – David Bridges (performed by Don Henley) "Janie's Got a Gun" – Dariusz Wolski (performed by Aerosmith) "We Didn't Start the Fire" – Sven Kirsten (performed by Billy Joel)
1991	Rolf Kestermann	"Wicked Game (Concept)"	Chris Isaak	"Freedom! '90" – Mike Southon (performed by George Michael) "Losing My Religion" – Larry Fong (performed by R.E.M.) "Mama Said Knock You Out" – Stephen Ashley Blake (performed by LL Cool J)
1992	Mike Southon and Daniel Pearl	"November Rain"	Guns N' Roses	"Enter Sandman" – Martin Coppen (performed by Metallica) "Give It Away" – Marco Mazzei (performed by Red Hot Chili Peppers) "Good Vibrations" – Dave Phillips (performed by Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch) "Holiday (Truth or Dare version)" – Toby Phillips (performed by Madonna) "I Can't Dance" – Daniel Pearl (performed by Genesis) "In the Closet" – Rolf Kestermann (performed by Michael Jackson) "My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)" – Paul Lauter (performed by En Vogue) "Running Back to You" – Ralph Ziman (performed by Vanessa Williams) "Silent All These Years" – George Tiffin (performed by Tori Amos) "Tears in Heaven (Performance)" – David Johnson (performed by Eric Clapton)
1993	Harris Savides	"Rain"	Madonna	"Constant Craving" – Marc Reshovsky (performed by k.d. lang) "Free Your Mind" – Thomas Kloss (performed by En Vogue) "If I Ever Lose My Faith in You" – Ivan Bartos (performed by Sting) "Ordinary World" – Martin Coppen (performed by Duran Duran)
1994	Harris Savides	"Everybody Hurts"	R.E.M.	"Amazing" – Gabriel Beristain (performed by Aerosmith) "Heart-Shaped Box" – John Mathieson (performed by Nirvana) "Sweet Lullaby" – Tarsem and Denise Milford (performed by Deep Forest)
1995	Garry Waller and Mike Trim	"Love Is Strong"	The Rolling Stones	"Basket Case" – Adam Beckman (performed by Green Day) "Interstate Love Song" – Kevin Kerslake (performed by Stone Temple Pilots) "Scream" – Harris Savides (performed by Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson) "Water Runs Dry" – Daniel Pearl (performed by Boyz II Men) "Waterfalls" – Toby Phillips (performed by TLC)
1996	Declan Quinn	"Tonight, Tonight"	The Smashing Pumpkins	"Brokenhearted" – Martin Coppen (performed by Brandy featuring Wanya Morris)) "Change the World" – Peter Nydrle and Marco Mazzei (performed by Eric Clapton) "You'll See" – Adrian Wild (performed by Madonna)
1997	Stephen Keith-Roach	"Virtual Insanity"	Jamiroquai	"The End Is the Beginning Is the End" – Declan Quinn (performed by The Smashing Pumpkins) "Novocaine for the Soul" – Jeff Cronenweth (performed by Eels) "The Perfect Drug" – Jeff Cronenweth (performed by Nine Inch Nails)
1998	Harris Savides	"Criminal"	Fiona Apple	"Don't Drink the Water" – Checco Varese (performed by Dave Matthews Band) "Karma Police" – Stephen Keith-Roach (performed by Radiohead) "Push It" – Max Malkin (performed by Garbage) "Ray of Light" – Henrik Halvarsson (performed by Madonna)
1999	Martin Coppen	"The Dope Show"	Marilyn Manson	"Beautiful Stranger" – Thomas Kloss (performed by Madonna) "Freak on a Leash" – Julian Whatley (performed by Korn) "Malibu" – Martin Coppen (performed by Hole) "Miami" – Daniel Pearl (performed by Will Smith)
2000	Jeff Cronenweth	"Do Something"	Macy Gray	"American Pie" – John Mathieson (performed by Madonna) "I Disappear" – David Rudd (performed by Metallica) "Sour Girl" – Martin Coppen (performed by Stone Temple Pilots) "Take a Picture" – Daniel Pearl (performed by Filter)
2001	Lance Acord	"Weapon of Choice"	Fatboy Slim	"Get Ur Freak On" – James Hawkinson (performed by Missy Elliott) "Jaded" – Thomas Kloss (performed by Aerosmith) "Stan" – Dariusz Wolski (performed by Eminem featuring Dido)
2002	Brad Rushing	"We Are All Made of Stars"	Moby	"One Minute Man" – Karsten "Crash" Gopinath (performed by Missy Elliott featuring Ludacris and Trina) "Whenever, Wherever" – Pascal Lebègue (performed by Shakira) "A Woman's Worth" – John Perez (performed by Alicia Keys)
2003	Jean-Yves Escoffier	"Hurt"	Johnny Cash	"There There" – Fred Reed (performed by Radiohead) "Underneath It All" – Karsten "Crash" Gopinath (performed by No Doubt featuring Lady Saw) "Work It" – Michael Bernard (performed by Missy Elliott)
2004	Joaquín Baca-Asay	"99 Problems"	Jay-Z	"It's My Life" – Jeff Cronenweth (performed by No Doubt) "Maps" – Shawn Kim (performed by Yeah Yeah Yeahs) "Naughty Girl" – James Hawkinson (performed by Beyoncé) "The Voice Within" – Jeff Cronenweth (performed by Christina Aguilera)
2005	Samuel Bayer	"Boulevard of Broken Dreams"	Green Day	"Blue Orchid" – Chris Soos (performed by The White Stripes) "Ocean Breathes Salty" – Danny Hiele (performed by Modest Mouse) "Speed of Sound" – Harris Savides (performed by Coldplay) "Untitled" – Michael Bernard (performed by Simple Plan) "Vertigo" – Omer Ganai (performed by U2)
2006	Robbie Ryan	"You're Beautiful"	James Blunt	"Black Sweat" – Checco Varese (performed by Prince) "Dani California" – Tony Kaye (performed by Red Hot Chili Peppers) "Invisible" – Jeff Cutter (performed by Ashlee Simpson) "Miss Murder" – Welles Hackett (performed by AFI)
2007	—	—	—	—
2008	Wyatt Troll	"Conquest"	The White Stripes	"Honey" – Karsten "Crash" Gopinath (performed by Erykah Badu) "I Kissed a Girl" – Simon Thirlaway (performed by Katy Perry) "I Will Possess Your Heart" – Aaron Stewart-Ahn and Shawn Kim (performed by Death Cab for Cutie) "When I Grow Up" – Christopher Probst (performed by The Pussycat Dolls)
2009	Jonathan Sela	"21 Guns"	Green Day	"Circus" – Thomas Kloss (performed by Britney Spears) "Paparazzi" – Eric Broms (performed by Lady Gaga) "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" – Jim Fealy (performed by Beyoncé) "Viva la Vida" – John Perez (performed by Coldplay)
2010	John Perez	"Empire State of Mind"	Jay-Z and Alicia Keys	"Bad Romance" – Thomas Kloss (performed by Lady Gaga) "Dog Days Are Over" – Adam Frisch (performed by Florence and the Machine) "Little Lion Man" – Ben Magahy (performed by Mumford & Sons) "Not Afraid" – Christopher Probst (performed by Eminem)
2011	Tom Townend	"Rolling in the Deep"	Adele	"Hurricane" – Benoît Debie, Jared Leto, Rob Witt and Daniel Carberry (performed by Thirty Seconds to Mars) "Love the Way You Lie" – Christopher Probst (performed by Eminem featuring Rihanna) "Run the World (Girls)" – Jeffrey Kimball (performed by Beyoncé) "Teenage Dream" – Paul Laufer (performed by Katy Perry)
2012	André Chemetoff	"Bad Girls"	M.I.A.	"Born to Die" – André Chemetoff (performed by Lana Del Rey) "Princess of China" – Stéphane Vallée (performed by Coldplay featuring Rihanna) "Someone Like You" – David Johnson (performed by Adele) "Take Care" – Kasper Tuxen (performed by Drake featuring Rihanna)
2013	Ryan Lewis, Jason Koenig and Mego Lin	"Can't Hold Us"	Macklemore and Ryan Lewis (featuring Ray Dalton)	"Ride" – Malik Sayeed (performed by Lana Del Rey) "Sacrilege" – Alexis Zabé (performed by Yeah Yeah Yeahs) "Tuna Melt" – TS Pfeffer and Robert McHugh (performed by A-Trak and Tommy Trash) "Up in the Air" – David Devlin (performed by Thirty Seconds to Mars)
2014	Darren Lew and Jackson Hunt	"Pretty Hurts"	Beyoncé	"Afterlife" – Evan Prosofsky (performed by Arcade Fire) "City of Angels" – David Devlin (performed by Thirty Seconds to Mars) "Hate or Glory" – Michael Ragen (performed by Gesaffelstein) "West Coast" – Evan Prosofsky (performed by Lana Del Rey)
2015	Larkin Seiple	"Never Catch Me"	Flying Lotus (featuring Kendrick Lamar)	"Bad Blood" – Christopher Probst (performed by Taylor Swift featuring Kendrick Lamar) "Left Hand Free" – Mike Simpson (performed by Alt-J) "Thinking Out Loud" – Daniel Pearl (performed by Ed Sheeran) "Two Weeks" – Justin Brown (performed by FKA Twigs)
2016	Malik Sayeed	"Formation"	Beyoncé	"Hello" – André Turpin (performed by Adele) "I Wanna Know" – Corey Jennings (performed by Alesso) "Into You" – Paul Laufer (performed by Ariana Grande) "Lazarus" – Crille Forsberg (performed by David Bowie)
2017	Scott Cunningham	"HUMBLE."	Kendrick Lamar	"Castle on the Hill" – Steve Annis (performed by Ed Sheeran) "Nobody Speak" – David Proctor (performed by DJ Shadow featuring Run the Jewels) "Now or Never" – Kristof Brandl (performed by Halsey) "Thunder" – Matthew Wise (performed by Imagine Dragons)
2018	Benoît Debie	"Apeshit"	The Carters	"Growing Pains" – Pau Castejón (performed by Alessia Cara) "In My Blood" – Jonathan Sela (performed by Shawn Mendes) "No Tears Left to Cry" – Scott Cunningham (performed by Ariana Grande) "River" – Frank Mobilio and Patrick Meller (performed by Eminem featuring Ed Sheeran) "This Is America" – Larkin Seiple (performed by Childish Gambino)
2019	Scott Cunningham	"Señorita"	Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello	"Almeda" – Chayse Irvin, Ryan Marie Helfant, and Justin Hamilton (performed by Solange) "hostage" – Pau Castejón (performed by Billie Eilish) "Me!" – Starr Whitesides (performed by Taylor Swift featuring Brendon Urie of Panic! at the Disco) "thank u, next" – Christopher Probst (performed by Ariana Grande) "Tints" – Elias Talbot (performed by Anderson .Paak featuring Kendrick Lamar)
2020	Michael Merriman	"Rain on Me"	Lady Gaga with Ariana Grande	"all the good girls go to hell" – Christopher Probst (performed by Billie Eilish) "Blinding Lights" – Oliver Millar (performed by The Weeknd) "Harleys in Hawaii" – Arnau Valls (performed by Katy Perry) "My Oh My" – Scott Cunningham (performed by Camila Cabello featuring DaBaby) "Old Me" – Kieran Fowler (performed by 5 Seconds of Summer)