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. 

  >>>><<<< 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

>>>><<<< 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

>>>><<<< 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

>>>><<<< Alexa + Drew Alexa and I go way back… And when I say “way back”, I mean that I have known her since she was born! Alexa’s family owns Skateland, a local rollerskating rink where I grew up. I started skating there when I was just four years old, taking lessons and transitioning into […]

Alexa + Drew | Rockford, Illinois Engagement Session

Winter Rockford engagement session at Nicholas Conservatory Gardens Sinnissippi Park by Sara Anne Johnson

February 4, 2018

>>>><<<< Stacy + Ramon There wasn’t a dull moment during our session with these two. Knowing Stacy’s entire family, I was prepared for some pretty awesome (and candid goodness) during her engagement session with Ramon! And might I add… HER SKIRT is SO lovely!! More styled engagement sessions please and thank you! They have officially […]

Stacy + Ramon | Rockford, Illinois Engagement Session

Boho luxe urban engagement session in downtown Rockford, IL by Sara Anne Johnson

November 19, 2017

>>>><<<< Caitlin + Jon From the very beginning, I could tell how sweet Caitlin was. She’s a genuinely kind soul… always laughing and so, so in love with Jon. These two are adorable. If you read the previous post on their surprise engagement you will know a little back-story on these two. (So go check […]

Caitlin + Jon | Lake Geneva, Wisconsin Engagement Session

Romantic Lake Geneva, Wisconsin engagement session by the lake.

November 2, 2017

>>>><<<< Caitlin + Jon Caitlin, Jon, and I have a very unique story together. Caitlin had actually already booked her wedding with me MONTHS ago. Normal right? Nope, Jon hadn’t proposed yet! Jon wanted to make sure that Caitlin got everything she wanted for her wedding so he wanted her to start planning the wedding […]

Caitlin + Jon | Rotary Botanical Gardens Surprise Engagement

Surprise proposal at Rotary Botanical Gardens in Janesville, WI

October 28, 2017

>>>><<<< Carley + Matthew Matthew wanted snow. He made that very clear during our pre-shoot email sessions. He wanted two things, he wanted snow and he wanted Carley to say yes! Matthew emailed me a few weeks back about photographing his surprise proposal to his girlfriend, Carley. Of course, the second I read his email […]

Carley + Matthew | Rockford, Illinois Engagement Photographer

Northern Illinois surprise winter wonderland proposal session photographed by Sara Anne Johnson - Sara Johnson Photography

December 13, 2016

>>><<<< Valerie + Erik People are constantly placed into + removed from our lives for reasons beyond our comprehension. Valerie (who I call Vali) was one of those people who was placed into my life as a new co-worker when we both started working at LongHorn Steakhouse as servers. I am so thankful that I […]

Valerie + Erik | Rockford, Illinois Engagement Photographer

Chicago, Illinois Engagement session on Lake Michigan with a background of the city skyscrapers photography by Sara Anne Johnson

August 26, 2016