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. 

>>>><<<< Winter Rooftop Wedding at The Standard THE EXCITEMENT IS REAL, Y’ALL!  I (along with an I N C R E D I B L E team of my “friendors”) put together a styled wedding at one of my favorite venues in town, The Standard, and GUESS WHAT?! IT WAS PUBLISHED ON WEDDING CHICKS! AHHH! […]

Published on Wedding Chicks! Winter Wedding at The Standard

Winter rooftop wedding downtown Rockford at The Standard with fruit filled florals and rich, jewel tones - Featured on Wedding Chicks - by Sara Anne Johnson

March 31, 2019

>>>><<<< Shelbie + Danny Shelbie is a striking natural beauty who has a passion for fashion and makeup and it shows! This girl has some serious style! Danny is a laidback, charming chef (yeah, CHEF… how cool is that?!) who looks at Shelbie with so much love in his eyes… together these two are a […]

Shelbie + Danny | Rockford, Illinois Engagement Session

Cozy winter urban engagement session at Rockford Roasting Co and Downtown Rockford by Sara Anne Johnson

March 4, 2019

>>>><<<< Sarah When I met Sarah, it was like we soul-sister bonded immediately… I mean her name is Sarah Johnson! It was like “name perfection”. Haha! But in all seriousness, this lady is so awesome to work with; she was laughing the entire time and we couldn’t take a “bad” photo if we tried! She’s […]

Sarah | Rockford, Illinois Senior Portrait Photographer

Rockford IL high school senior portrait at The Standard by Sara Anne Johnson

October 5, 2018

>>>><<<< Taylor + Jacob These two had the perfect gift to one another… they wanted to gift each other a couples session to remember this point in their lives, and when they told me that my heart literally melted. There’s no “right” or “wrong” gift to give to someone but giving the gift of couples […]

Taylor + Jacob | Rockford, Illinois Couples Session

Winter urban downtown Rockford couples session at The Standard by Sara Anne Johnson

February 18, 2018

>>>><<<< Natalie One word. F I E R C E. Natalie, my dear, you are such a sweet soul… you’re beautiful inside and out… AND GIRL YOU SHOULD GO INTO MODELING! Our session together was one that I will never forget; you absolutely rocked! (I know, I know, I say that all the time, but […]

Natalie | Rockford, Illinois Senior Portrait Photographer

Modern boho luxe inspired high school senior portrait session in downtown Rockford, IL

December 9, 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

>>>><<<< 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

>>>><<<< 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

>>>><<<< Haley This lady right here did a PHENOMENAL job modeling for her Senior photos! Dress: adorable. Smile: perfect. Laugh: CONTAGIOUS! There’s just something spontaneously freeing about scheduling a session less than 24 hours before shooting it, and that’s exactly what Haley and I did. We had such a blast running around downtown, Rockford and […]

Haley | Rockford, Illinois Senior Portrait Photographer

Christian Life High School urban and floral inspired senior portrait session photographed downtown Rockford, Illinois by Sara Anne Johnson

May 24, 2017

  >>>><<<< 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