It started about 14 years ago, when Gary Hamilton was a soon-to-be-father of twin girls, and he wanted to be ready.

“I figured I would need a decent camera to take pictures of the kids,” said Hamilton, a research attorney with the Connecticut Judicial Branch. “After a short time, I got hooked on it. I started upgrading camera bodies and lenses. Then I started to do nature and wildlife photography because I love animals and the outdoors.”