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. 

>>>><<<< Ramon + Stacy Stacy (without the “e” because “e’s” are eww…) was one of the most chilled out brides, planning her wedding around when her hubby-to-be would be coming back to the states from Brazil to live with her permanently… and everything went flawlessly! I had eagerly been waiting for her wedding since I […]

Ramon + Stacy | Rockford, Illinois Wedding Photographer

Indie Glam rooftop Wedding at the chic downtown Rockford venue The Standard by Sara Anne Johnson

January 12, 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

>>>><<<< 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

  >>>><<<< 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

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