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. 

Paityn has been “in the family” for almost a year now…she’s my younger brother’s girlfriend and she is absolutely adorable. I was so glad when she asked me to shoot her senior session; I knew we would have a blast and make an evening out of it, and that’s exactly what we did. On the […]

Paityn | Rockford, Illinois Senior Portrait Photographer

Byron High School Senior photography taken at Downtown Freeport, Illinois at the Union Dairy | Rockford, Illinois Sara Johnson Photography

December 1, 2015

BOOM! Double session time! Kristin + Tyler were fabulous to work with however, our weather on the day of the shoot, questionable. But hey, you can’t even tell from the photos that we had a nasty chance of rain that day! AND THAT’S the kind of magic that I love to create. πŸ™‚ These two […]

Kristin + Tyler | Rockford, Illinois Senior Portrait Photographer

Downtown Rockford, Illinois Byron High School Senior portrait photography | Rockford, Illinois Sara Johnson Photography

November 25, 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

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

Michaelee!! One word: adorable. She’s full of life and laughter, and has unbelievable eyes!! I mean, come on! Share some of those “baby blues” with the rest of us, Michaelee! She’s an absolute doll, what more can I say? Enjoy the photos, and Congratulations Michaelee!! It was a pleasure! Love, Sara

Michaelee | Rockford, Illinois Senior Portrait Photographer

Downtown, Rockford, Illinois High School Senior Photography | Sara Anne Johnson

December 6, 2014

Meet Whitney! This girl is amazing. She’s hilarious, adorable, and super genuine!! We hit it off like old friends immediately! I couldn’t get enough of her spunky, urban, laidback shoot. Plus she’s a natural in front of the camera! AND THOSE EYES! OH MY GOSH! I hope you love these photos as much as I […]

Whitney | Rockford, Illinois Senior Portrait Photographer

Downtown, Rockford, Illinois High School Senior Photography | Sara Anne Johnson

December 3, 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

Molly’s session turned out lovely! The colors, the leaves, and her laugh completely make these images. This early morning shoot was packed with perfect weather (we got lucky because the rain came later that afternoon!). A lovely day for a lovely senior. On an inside joke side note, Molly, you now have made me love […]

Molly | Rockford, Illinois Senior Portrait Photographer

Rockford, Illinois Byron High School Senior Portrait photography, Sinnissippi Park | Sara Anne Johnson

October 31, 2014

Remember Bree? This is the continuation of her shoot! Enjoy her adorableness. πŸ™‚ Love, Sara

Bree | Rockford, Illinois Senior Portrait Photographer

Rockford, Illinois High School Senior Portrait photography, Rock Cut State Park | Sara Anne Johnson

October 27, 2014