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. 

>>>><<<< Sarah Sarah and I go waaaaay back. I mean, back to the days when she was about 4 or 5 years old! I remember playing dolls with her as she sat in her blues clues red blow up chair, and I remember pushing her on the swing set on the playground… so it’s safe […]

Sarah | Rockford, Illinois Senior Portrait Photographer

Downtown Rockford high school senior session in the rain by Sara Anne Johnson

March 23, 2019

>>>><<<< 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

>>>><<<< Emmi This lady right here did a PHENOMENAL job modeling for her Senior photos! Dress: gorgeous. Hair: stunning. Emmi SLAYED her session by just being herself! I had photographed her big sister’s photos when she was a senior so it was such an honor to photograph Emmi now that it’s her turn to be […]

Emmi | Janesville, WI Senior Portrait Photographer

Fall sunset high school senior session at golden hour at Rotary Botanical Gardens in Janesville, Wi

November 6, 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

>>>><<<< Ethan You know it’s going to be a great session when your senior is pretty much a model! Ethan ROCKED his session like Rick Nielsen himself (hence the perfectly placed newspaper and his awesome shoes in the next shot!) and we had a BLAST photographing downtown Rockford. Ethan told me that he “could do […]

Ethan | Rockford, Illinois Senior Portrait Photographer

October 23, 2017

>>>><<<< Ray + Amanda I absolutely love that these two have been engaged for years (yes, literally years!)… the dedication and commitment that Ray shows for Amanda is just priceless. He’s so taken with her, and it really shows! (I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, there still hasn’t been a wedding that […]

Ray + Amanda | Rockford, Illinois Wedding Photographer

Bright, bold Summer wedding at Kilbuck Creek photographed by Sara Anne Johnson

July 2, 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

  >>>><<<< Krista KRISTA! This lady right here did a PHENOMENAL job modeling for her Senior photos! Way to go, girl! Krista’s warm smile and giving heart impressed me so much; when we were approached by a few people in need, she didn’t hesitate to head back to her car to grab some money to […]

Krista | Rockford, Illinois Senior Portrait Photographer

Byron High School urban senior portrait session photographed downtown Rockford, Illinois by Sara Anne Johnson

September 30, 2016