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. 

>>>><<<< Jeff + Amanda ANNIVERSARY POST! Jeff + Amanda just celebrated their FIRST YEAR of marriage at the beginning of this month! I am still shocked that time has flown by this fast. It feels like yesterday that we were getting ready at Indian Lakes… celebrating their “I Do’s” with Gene’s & Jude’s Hot Dogs… […]

Jeff + Amanda | Addison, Illinois Wedding Photographer

October 22, 2017

>>>><<<< Edgar + Areli September 22 was an amazing day, not only because I had the honor of photographing a STUNNING wedding, but mainly because of WHO was getting married. Edgar + Areli are two of the sweetest people I know. From the beginning, I could tell that Edgar loved Areli more than words. When […]

Edgar + Areli | Rockford, Illinois Wedding Photographer

Purple + Gold Prairie Street Brewhouse September wedding with dockside ceremony photography by Sara Anne Johnson

September 28, 2017

>>>><<<< Sean + Renae Renae and I had spent the week prior to the wedding talking about how much we hoped for great weather because with April weddings, one never knows! Sean + Renae’s wedding day weather was absolutely perfect in every way… the sun was out and there was a cool breeze in the […]

Sean + Renae | Rockford, Illinois Wedding Photographer

Ecclectic, intimate wedding with jewel tone bouquets and greenhouse love in Rockford, Illinois by Sara Anne Johnson

April 21, 2017

>>>><<<< Mike + Hannah I’m not sure if I’ve seen many couples who are more in love than these two. Their love is just infectious!!! From the anticipation during “getting ready” through the tearful first look, all the way to Hannah’s tribute dance for her father… Mike + Hannah’s wedding day was nothing short of […]

Mike + Hannah | Chicago, Illinois Wedding Photographer

Tuscany Falls Chicago, Illinois spring wedding photographed by Sara Anne Johnson

April 7, 2017

>>>><<<< Blake + Alicia Alicia is unlike any other bride whom I’ve had the privilege of working with. I’ve known the Mashek family for over 10 years now, and from day one, Alicia has always felt like a sister to me. Fun fact, Alicia actually asked me to be her photographer YEARS before she was […]

Blake + Alicia | Decorah, Iowa Wedding Photographer

Gold glam winter New Year's Eve wedding in Decorah, Iowa photographed by Sara Anne Johnson

January 10, 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

This girl is incredible; her name is Carly and she is a survivor. I won’t make this whole post about her journey, however, I do want to start with it. The first photo that you will see once you scroll down after the blog is a special photo to Carly…one of her best friends, Emily, […]

Carly | Rockford, Illinois Senior Portrait Photographer

Stillman Valley High School senior portrait photographer Rockford, Ilinois

January 7, 2016

I met Amanda at Northern Illinois University where we both graduated with our Bachelors in Fine Art – Photography. We’ve been friends since 2010, and since we met at NIU, it was only natural for Amanda to want to shoot her engagement photos on the campus. Jeff, who is also an NIU alumni, LOVES hockey […]

Amanda + Jeff | Rockford, Illinois Engagement Photographer

NIU couple fall engagement session in Northern Illinois, DeKalb, Illinois

December 13, 2015

It’s really all in the family with these two. Taylor’s parents have known my parents forever, so that practically makes us related! So when she asked me to shoot their engagement session (and their wedding, eeeckk!!) I was ecstatic! Umm, YES! Of course! I would love to! Taylor + Chas’ wedding date is hidden in […]

Taylor + Chas | Rockford, Illinois Engagement Photographer

December 11, 2015