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. 

Let me tell you…it is one of the hardest (if not THE HARDEST) things in the world to tell your bride that you already have her date booked with someone else. And let me tell you another thing…it never gets any easier. Nicole was referred to me by yet another amazing gal pal of mine, […]

Nicole + Brad | Rockford, Illinois Engagement Photographer

Anderson Japanese Gardens fall engagement session, Rockford, Illinois Sara Johnson Photography

December 9, 2015

Where to begin with these two… Well let’s see, I’ve known Courtney for YEARS, I worked with her at the Rockford Park District at the Carlson Ice Arena. She was into hockey, and I figure skated, so when she asked me to shoot her engagement photos, I was instantly like “ummmm YES!” Courtney + Michael […]

Courtney + Michael | Rockford, Illinois Engagement Photographer

McEachran Homestead Winery fall engagement session, Rockford, Illinois Sara Johnson Photography

December 5, 2015

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

Sara + Trevor told me, months before their wedding, that the photos were the most important part of their day. Sara couldn’t have enough photos. This is what I like to hear! Photography is literally the most important part of a wedding (aside from the couple!) because without it, the gorgeous flowers, priceless moments, and […]

Trevor + Sara | Rockford, Illinois Wedding Photographer

Summer pink and green wedding at Kilbuck Creek in Monroe Center, Illinois | Rockford Illinois wedding photographer Sara Anne Johnson

February 16, 2015

There’s nothing like a 4th of July wedding! Dave + Jen’s wedding literally went off with a BANG! I shot their engagement photos in the winter…we wanted to try something a little interesting, so Dave bought a bunch of fireworks (legally, of course…) and we ventured out into the prairie at Kilbuck Creek Resort, the […]

Dave + Jen | Rockford, Illinois Wedding Photographer

Kilbuck Creek Monroe Center, Illinois Fourth of July summer wedding | Rockford, Illinois Wedding Photographer Sara Anne Johnson

February 12, 2015

Aly + Ryan…these two are totally adorable! When Aly asked me to photograph her engagement and wedding photos, I was completely flattered. I worked with her and the other art students from Stillman Valley’s graduating class of 2014 over the past year, and have gotten to know them very well. Aly is into art and […]

Aly + Ryan | Rockford, Illinois Engagement Photographer

Rock Cut State Park, Rockford, Illinois Fall Engagement Photography | Sara Anne Johnson

December 8, 2014

Liz was one of my very first friends waaayyy back in third grade. I had moved to a new school district and Liz was in my class. We immediately became friends. It’s always a joy seeing my friends happy, and photographing Liz + Josh’s engagement photos (and next year, their wedding!) was and will be […]

Liz + Josh | Rockford, Illinois Engagement Photographer

Downtown Rockford, Illinois fall engagement photography | Sara Anne Johnson

November 12, 2014

We had QUITE the adventure while shooting Delaney and Pat’s engagement session. There’s nothing better than exploring abandoned places with two very willing and adventurous people and their adorable puppy love, Mira! We started the day off at an abandoned farm…Mira was in HEAVEN! As we continued to scout around, we kept stumbling upon more […]

Delaney + Pat | Rockford, Illinois Engagement Photographer

Rockford, Illinois Engagement photography | Sara Anne Johnson

September 24, 2014