It all started eight years ago in Ohio – when Sara Wise bought her first camera with babysitting money.

She was 14, and decided that she wanted to take up photography.

“I don’t really know why I started, I just liked it,” Wise said. “I was homeschooled, so I had a lot of time on my hands.”

Now, the petite woman runs a photography business here in Hartwell – The Black and White Studio.

Her father moved to Toccoa six years ago with his job, and because “it was too cold in Ohio,” Wise said.

Wise graduated from The Technical College of North Georgia with a degree in photography. She specializes inweddings and portraits, but “will do anything,” she said.

“I’ve done commercial work for Cateechee and a couple of other businesses,” she said.

Asked why she prefers black and white photography, Wise replied: “I just like it. It’s so pretty and classic.”