Capturing a "beautiful moment" of his friends fishing has snared Coledale teenager Mathias Decker a cool $3000.
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Winning the Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize Secondary School Students (Years 9-10) prize, also saw Mathias' school Edmund Rice College snag just as much cash.
While the cash is a welcome bonus, the 15-year-old is ecstatic his work has been recognised in such a way.
The Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize (MCPP) is a national competition that awards and promotes Australian contemporary photography and excellence.
Photographers were invited to tell a story of how they experience living in Australia places, people and lifestyle that make our lovable country quintessentially Australian.
"I'm fortunate to be a part of this priize. Hopefully it sets me up to achieve my goal of being a photographer," Mathias said.
"Photography has been a passion since year 5. I'm in year 10 now. I started with a GoPro and then bought a Cannon.
I just captured this moment which looked really beautiful and just represented everything that happened that night.
- Mathias Decker
"I'm hoping to upgrade with the prizemoney from the competition. The money will certainly come in handy."
Mathias took his award-winning photograph called 'Fishpeople' near Scarborough Beach.
"I was just eating breakfast on the rocks and three of them were trying to catch fish....and I just captured this moment which looked really beautiful and just represented everything that happened that night," Mathias said.
Edmund Rice College creative arts coordinator Mary Costello believed the "extremely talented" Mathias had a bright future.
"This is a well deserved award," she said.
"Mathias has been passionate about photography since I have known him and is always in the photography room working on his editing and seeking advice.
"His portfolio of work is incredible for his age and he has a big future ahead of him as a surf photographer."
Fellow Edmund Rice College student Kai Pearson also did well in the competition.