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. 

>>>><<<< Summer + Dan This fall’s trend was DEFINITELY gorgeous gardens, because for Summer + Dan, I headed back to Cantigny Park in Wheaton to soak up every last drop of their gorgeous fall foliage! This place makes my job easy, and I’m so thankful for couples who love to take a leap of faith […]

Summer + Dan | Wheaton, Illinois Engagement Session

Cozy, sunset, Fall engagement session with a gorgeous grey diamond at beautiful Cantigny Park in Wheaton, IL by Sara Anne Johnson - Photographer

November 28, 2019

>>>><<<< Samantha + Ted This time of year is full of high school senior sessions, engagement sessions, and weddings, with the stunning fall leaves in full swing and the crisp light breeze in the air… it is the perfect time of year for photo sessions! And this year did NOT disappoint! With Thanksgiving tomorrow, I […]

Samantha + Ted | Rockford, Illinois Engagement Session

Fall, sunset engagement session with emerald green velvet dress and blue sapphire engagement ring at Anderson Japanese Gardens in Rockford, IL by Sara Anne Johnson - Photographer

November 28, 2019

>>>><<<< Emily + Aaron Let me just start by saying that I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Emily for a few years now… she’s one of my amazing bank tellers and I see her almost every week! We have chatted about my business and everything photo related every single time that I drive through her […]

Emily + Aaron | Rockford, Illinois Engagement Session

Fall, sunset engagement session with tons of autumn color at Anderson Japanese Gardens in Rockford, IL by Sara Anne Johnson - Photographer

November 28, 2019

>>>><<<< Jessica + Trent So THIS girl, reached out to me way back in 2018 for her wedding in 2020 and the second that we met, I knew I HAD to work with her! The fact that she reached out to me so long before her wedding made me feel so honored that she could […]

Jessica + Trent | Wheaton, Illinois Engagement Session

Cozy, sunset, Fall engagement session at Cantigny Park in Wheaton, IL by Sara Anne Johnson

November 28, 2019

>>>><<<< Dylan + Callie If I’m being honest, I had been waiting for Callie’s wedding for quite some time. Our friendship goes back a few years now and I was so honored to be a part of her planning process… mountain climbing process (see engagement session)… and finally her wedding day. I didn’t know Dylan […]

Dylan + Callie | Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin Wedding Photographer

Wisconsin Dells Summer wedding with deep burgundy flowers and dusty blue bridesmaid dresses at Glacier Canyon by Sara Anne Johnson. Sara Johnson Photography

September 27, 2019

>>>><<<< Chris + Jacquelyn You know when you meet someone and you just “click” right away with them? That’s exactly how it was with Chris, Jacquelyn, and I when we met at Starbucks! I knew that these two were the most awesome, laidback couple… they were my kinda people! Just to fill you in on […]

Chris + Jacquelyn | Rockford, Illinois Wedding Photographer

Summer DC Estate Winery wedding with a bride and groom first look and a stunning sunset - Photographed by Sara Anne Johnson

June 30, 2018

>>>><<<< 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

>>>><<<< 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

>>>><<<< Erik + Valerie If I’m being completely honest, this wedding has been in the works since the first time I met Erik when Val introduced me to him at our part time job. He would come in and sit at the bar as Val cleaned, waiting for her to be off work. This happened […]

Erik + Valerie | Rockford, Illinois Wedding Photographer

Romantic black and gray wedding with vintage open back lace dress at Church by the Side of the Road in Rockton, IL by Sara Anne Johnson

August 20, 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