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. 

  >>>><<<< Drew + Megan There’s just something about Fall weddings. The chill in the air, the lovely color palettes, the promise of perfectly overcast days… I’m not sure which part I like the best! Aside from fall weddings, there’s just something about Drew + Megan as well. Their love for one another is so, […]

Drew + Megan | Rockford, Illinois Wedding Photographer

Jewel toned, October wedding with airy, greens and roses bouquets photographed at Barn on the Hill in Leaf River, Illinois by Sara Anne Johnson.

October 5, 2016

  >>>><<<< Matt + Kristin From day one, Kristin has been such a sweet soul. When I shot Matt + Kristin’s engagement session at Veteran’s Acres in Crystal Lake, Kristin had an adorable question for me. She said, “What’s Liz’s favorite coffee?” Her reason for asking me what Liz’s favorite coffee was because she wanted […]

Matt + Kristin | Rockford, Illinois Wedding Photographer

Summer, Crystal Lake, Illinois blue and aquamarine wedding photographed by Sara Anne Johnson

October 4, 2016

>>>><<<< Garrett + Savannah Savannah + I go WAY back to our college days… Rock Valley College first, followed by Northern Illinois University. I love this girl. She is such a sweetheart! I remember our chats over Chipotle while attending NIU in DeKalb, IL… good memories, lady!! When Savannah asked me to be her wedding […]

Garrett + Savannah | Rockford, Illinois Wedding Photographer

September Minocqua, Wisconsin, elegant northwoods wedding with an outdoor ceremony and reception at The Waters of Minocqua, photographed by Rockford, Illinois wedding photographer Sara Anne Johnson

September 29, 2016

    >>>><<<< Nate + Kelsey First off, I’d like to start by saying that Nate + Kelsey are awesome. They’re free spirited souls who love adventure + aren’t afraid of making their own traditions. These two Californians live in such a beautiful area of the country + are always “adventuring” (for lack of a […]

Nate + Kelsey | Rockford, Illinois Wedding Photographer

Colorfully Inspired Anderson Japanese Gardens Summer outdoor Wedding with stunning bouquets and vintage styled floral bridesmaid dresses, photographed by Sara Anne Johnson Rockford, Illinois Wedding Photography

August 24, 2016

>>>><<<< May 28th was “the day”… my first wedding of the 2016 season!! And I couldn’t be more excited that my first couple of the year was Christian + Kailey. Christian is so sweet and caring and completely all about Kailey, and Kailey is one of the most genuine people that I have ever met. […]

Christian + Kailey | Rockford, Illinois Wedding Photographer

Glam, Elegant, Gold Wedding at Oak Hill by Sara Anne Johnson

June 1, 2016

ROUND TWO!! How many times can a photographer say that they were lucky enough to photograph the same couples’ wedding not once, but twice?! To the same spouse?! NEVER! So I hit the jackpot with these two…I got to work with one of my favorite couples not once, but twice. 😀 Both occasions were amazing […]

Pat + Delaney | Rockford, Illinois Wedding Photographer

Bride + Groom share a first look before the ceremony. Kilbuck Creek fall wedding. Sara Johson Photography

January 29, 2016

Pat + Delaney have been one of my favorite couples since day one. They’re sweet puppy love, Mira, was part of their engagement shoot last year at an abandoned farm…if you forgot about that shoot go check it out, we had a blast!! These two were (as of this post, Delaney JUST gave birth to […]

Pat + Delaney | Rockford, Illinois Wedding Photographer

Naperville wedding, bride and groom share a kiss under the veil | Rockford, Illinois Wedding Photographer Sara Anne Johnson

June 25, 2015

Remember the adorable engagement session with the sassy pooch, Jackson? Well, his parents got married! Liz + Josh tied the knot on a GORGEOUS day in May…it was picture perfect. Liz has been my friend since the day we met in third grade, so when she asked me to photograph her wedding (like, years ago…she […]

Josh + Liz | Rockford, Illinois Wedding Photographer

Summer White Pines Wedding Rockford, Illinois Wedding Photographer Sara Anne Johnson

June 24, 2015

Kirsten and I have been friends since third grade. In fact, we met in a very interesting way; running in intersecting paths across the playground at recess and ultimately slamming into each other, face first, destroying her pink glasses and leaving bruises where my new “invisible glasses” then graced my face. It was a painful […]

Gad + Kirsten | Rockford, Illinois Wedding Photographer

Kilbuck Creek fall wedding with pink undertones photographed in natural light by Sara Johnson Photography

May 11, 2015

Last June, I photographed a gorgeous wedding for the lovely Kevin + Jennie Goss…Christine, who just so happened to be Jennie’s MOH and best friend, asked me right then and there if I would email her with information on shooting her wedding a few months later in November. There’s nothing better than clicking with someone […]

Matt + Christine | Rockford, Illinois Wedding Photographer

March 11, 2015