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. 

>>>><<<< 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

>>>><<<< Kevin + Laura KEVIN + LAURA ARE TWO OF THE SWEETEST PEOPLE I HAVE EVER WORKED WITH. It would be an understatement to say that I was beyond excited about photographing their wedding. From our very first meeting at Starbucks all the way through the planning and finally at the wedding day, these two […]

Kevin + Laura | Galena, Illinois Wedding Photographer

Rainy fall jewel toned romantic wedding at Oak Hill Weddings in Apple River, IL by Sara Anne Johnson

December 23, 2017

>>>><<<< 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

>>>><<<< Mid-Mod Meets Boho with Lovely Bride at romantic D.C. Estate Winery in South Beloit, Illinois YOU GUYS!! I AM SO FREAKING EXCITED! My styled shoot just got published on Ruffled!! I feel like a million bucks… I literally just won the lottery over here. This is such an honor! I had the most AMAZING […]

Mid-Mod Meets Boho with Lovely Bride at romantic D.C. Estate Winery in South Beloit, Illinois

Mid-Mod Meets Boho with Lovely Bride at romantic D.C. Estate Winery in South Beloit, Illinois by Sara Anne Johnson Photo: Sara Johnson Photography Venue: DC Estate Winery Cake: Julie Michelle Cakes Rentals: Forever Birdy Calligraphy: Letters by Chels Dress: Lovely Bride Chicago - Lovers Society "North" Florals: Busy B's Event Planner: Capstone Occasions

November 14, 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

>>>><<<< 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