Michaela Meade
Bundoora’s Dalton Sanderson has won the top prize in the Homelessness Photography Competition, run by Concern Australia.
The exhibition explores themes of youth homelessness, despair, and hope creatively through a camera’s lens.
The Parade College student said it was exciting his photography piece, Washed Away, had won first prize.
“I thought it wouldn’t [be me],” he said.
“The photo [I submitted] was a spur of the moment thing… I was thinking of a lot of different things I could take photos of, and [the submission] was one of them.
“I analysed [the winning photo] and took some meaning from it… a lot more meaning than I [initially] thought.”
Dalton’s mother Tamara said she was stoked and proud of her son.
“He was more stoked than I was… he got a personal email, letting him know [that he had won],” she said.
“I’m very… proud, especially of what he did… the analogy [of the work] is great.
“He’s very imaginative and creative [and has] a different perspective on things.
“He’s very humble… doesn’t like to be put on a pedestal or anything like that.”
Dalton’s winning photography was featured in the Walk in My Shoes exhibition at Federation Square from May 8 to 14.
As part of his top prize, Dalton has won a studio photo shoot with renowned photographer Peter Casamento and a Hosier Hoodies jumper of his choice.
