Maurice Steede always carries a camera because he likes to "capture the moment", and his strategy proved to be a good one as far as the International Society of Photographers (ISP) was concerned, because it recently presented him with an 'Amateur Photography Award' for a picture he took of his son N'Zai Caines interacting with a life-sized bronze statue in Atlanta.

Mr. Steede, who was completing his Bachelor of Science degree in computer networking at Herzing College at the time, had care of little N'Zai, and part of his routine was taking the then three-year-old to The Underground at Five Points Park in downtown Atlanta, where the child loved to feed the pigeons, and also see his favourite statue of a seated gentleman feeding a pigeon.

At the moment Mr. Steede was capturing his award-winning shot, N'Zai was trying to convince his brother Diaz not to be afraid of the statue and to join him.

"I really liked the picture because it wasn't posed or planned," Mr. Steede says of the result.

The connection with the ISP came through internet browsing, where the cameraman noticed Picture.com was holding a nation-wide competition, and he decided to enter.

It wasn't long before Mr. Steede began receiving e-mails from Picture.com, but he didn't take much notice. Then he was advised that he had won the March 'Photograph of the Month' segment for amateur photographers.

"I thought it was just a publicity stunt, but the e-mails became more direct and personal, and they named my photo, 'Iron Man'," he says.

"So I went to the website to see if my picture was there, and I saw I had been awarded 'Photo of the Month' for March, which was the same month they were holding the award ceremony in Las Vegas, but I couldn't leave my studies."

Nonetheless, the amateur photographer responded to the Association's e-mails, and was advised that his photo was among the semi-finalists in the Children category of the International Open Amateur Photography Contest.

He was also advised that it was going to be published in a picture book called 'Endless Journeys', scheduled for publication this autumn and featuring the best photos and photographers of 2007.

"So I had not only captured the moment but also a memory for everyone to see," he smiles.

Meanwhile, Mr. Steede's days were very full as he balanced his responsibilities as a loving father caring for N'Zai (he shares joint custody with the mother) with completing his degree study programme, as well as working part-time dealing with a law firm's computers.

So it was not surprising that sometimes he was so tired he slept in. Thus it was that, on the day he was awakened by someone knocking, he was in his pyjamas when he opened the door.

There, standing before him, was a tuxedo-clad representative of the ISA who presented him with his engraved trophy and medal.

"I wasn't expecting it, and I got the awards a few days before I received my graduation certificate, so they came at a very pleasant moment," he says.

"It made me feel very special. I was feeling very tired that morning, so it really made my day."

In addition, Mr. Steede was made a 'Distinguished Member'of the ISA - and of course he continues to keep a camera with him at all times to capture what could be another award-winning moment.