Hey Friends!

Welcome to the blog!

I'm Sara Johnson, a free-spirited, travel seeking, Birkenstock wearing Wedding and Senior Portrait Photographer based in Rockford, IL! I'm also addicted to Mid Century Modern design, the host of the Living For It Podcast  and am a strong believer in creating something bigger than myself. 

>>>><<<< Shelbie + Danny Shelbie is a striking natural beauty who has a passion for fashion and makeup and it shows! This girl has some serious style! Danny is a laidback, charming chef (yeah, CHEF… how cool is that?!) who looks at Shelbie with so much love in his eyes… together these two are a […]

Shelbie + Danny | Rockford, Illinois Engagement Session

Cozy winter urban engagement session at Rockford Roasting Co and Downtown Rockford by Sara Anne Johnson

March 4, 2019

>>>>><<<<< Every year, Shoot and Share hosts a world-wide photo contest open to any and all photographers who want to participate… there were over 46,000 photographers from all over the world and over 1.1 million total photos entered into the contest… it’s SO much fun! I’ve been participating in the contest for 4 years now […]

The Photo Contest | 2018 Results

Rockford IL wedding photographer | chic urban weddings | Sara Anne Johnson

March 1, 2019

  >>>><<<< Heather + Freddy When Heather told me that she had really wanted something unique for her engagement photos, I was 110% on board with her! I LOVE couples who want to venture out and try new things; the more fun we have while taking photos, the more genuine the photos will be and […]

Heather + Freddy | Rockford, Illinois Engagement Session

Alpaca filled Rockford IL engagement session at sunset by Sara Anne Johsnon

February 25, 2019

>>>><<<< Sarah When I met Sarah, it was like we soul-sister bonded immediately… I mean her name is Sarah Johnson! It was like “name perfection”. Haha! But in all seriousness, this lady is so awesome to work with; she was laughing the entire time and we couldn’t take a “bad” photo if we tried! She’s […]

Sarah | Rockford, Illinois Senior Portrait Photographer

Rockford IL high school senior portrait at The Standard by Sara Anne Johnson

October 5, 2018

>>>><<<< Lexi + Ryan These self-proclaimed beer connoisseurs are so perfect together, they go together like Carlyle and hops! Match made in paradise! Lexi + Ryan are tying the knot in a few weeks at one of my favorite venues in town, The Standard, so it was only natural that we hung out downtown and […]

Lexi + Ryan | Rockford, Illinois Engagement Session

Carlyle Brewing Co sunset engagement session in downtown Rockford by Sara Anne Johnson

August 25, 2018

>>>><<<< PENSACOLA BEACH, FL Guys, I am O B S E S S E D with Pensacola. I can’t even tell you how much I love this place. It’s my happy place, my worry-free zone, my home away from home. Have you ever been somewhere else and felt that overwhelming feeling of “home-ness”? That’s what […]

SJ TRAVELS | PENSACOLA BEACH, FL

July 18, 2018

>>>><<<< Chris + Jacquelyn You know when you meet someone and you just “click” right away with them? That’s exactly how it was with Chris, Jacquelyn, and I when we met at Starbucks! I knew that these two were the most awesome, laidback couple… they were my kinda people! Just to fill you in on […]

Chris + Jacquelyn | Rockford, Illinois Wedding Photographer

Summer DC Estate Winery wedding with a bride and groom first look and a stunning sunset - Photographed by Sara Anne Johnson

June 30, 2018

>>>><<<< Jacquelyn + Chris Have you ever clicked with someone from the second you met them? Yes? I know the feeling all too well with Jacquelyn + Chris! From the second we met (at the Perryville Starbucks) we hit it off as if we’d known each other for years. I could tell right away that […]

Jacquelyn + Chris | Rockford, Illinois Engagement Session

Rock Cut State Park summer engagement session - photography by Sara Anne Johnson

June 14, 2018

>>>><<<< Kaitlyn + Lucas Where to begin with these two! Kaitlyn + Lucas came all the way from NORTH CAROLINA for their engagement session and we had A BLAST! A “cold” blast, but a blast nonetheless. I am looking forward to their wedding so much… these two have an incredible love in their eyes for […]

Kaitlyn + Lucas | Rockford, Illinois Engagement Session

Winter engagement session at Carlyle Brewing Company Downtown Rockford, IL by Sara Anne Johnson

March 22, 2018

>>>><<<< Wes + Maryam I am SO excited to say that I am absolutely addicted to photographing elopements! Wes + Maryam are two of the sweetest people I have ever met and I was so thrilled when Maryam told me that she wanted me to photograph their intimate, NYE elopement. With Rotary Botanical Gardens Holiday […]

Wes + Maryam | Janesville, Wisconsin Wedding Photographer

New Year's Eve Winter Elopement with emerald velvet gown at Rotary Botanical Gardens by Sara Anne Johnson

March 5, 2018