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. 

>>>><<<< 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

>>>><<<< 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

>>>><<<< 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

>>>><<<< 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

>>>><<<< Blake + Alicia Alicia is unlike any other bride whom I’ve had the privilege of working with. I’ve known the Mashek family for over 10 years now, and from day one, Alicia has always felt like a sister to me. Fun fact, Alicia actually asked me to be her photographer YEARS before she was […]

Blake + Alicia | Decorah, Iowa Wedding Photographer

Gold glam winter New Year's Eve wedding in Decorah, Iowa photographed by Sara Anne Johnson

January 10, 2017

>>>><<<< Carley + Matthew Matthew wanted snow. He made that very clear during our pre-shoot email sessions. He wanted two things, he wanted snow and he wanted Carley to say yes! Matthew emailed me a few weeks back about photographing his surprise proposal to his girlfriend, Carley. Of course, the second I read his email […]

Carley + Matthew | Rockford, Illinois Engagement Photographer

Northern Illinois surprise winter wonderland proposal session photographed by Sara Anne Johnson - Sara Johnson Photography

December 13, 2016

  >>>><<<< 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

>>>><<<< Garrett + Savannah Savannah + I go WAY back to our college days… Rock Valley College first, followed by Northern Illinois University. I love this girl. She is such a sweetheart! I remember our chats over Chipotle while attending NIU in DeKalb, IL… good memories, lady!! When Savannah asked me to be her wedding […]

Garrett + Savannah | Rockford, Illinois Wedding Photographer

September Minocqua, Wisconsin, elegant northwoods wedding with an outdoor ceremony and reception at The Waters of Minocqua, photographed by Rockford, Illinois wedding photographer Sara Anne Johnson

September 29, 2016

>>>><<<< Taylor This girl was such a joy to photograph! First off, I love my Seniors, there’s no doubt about that, but there was something refreshing about Taylor that was obvious the second we started shooting. Her personality came out in her photographs RIGHT AWAY. She’s spunky, fierce, focused, + driven (future Graphic Design + […]

Taylor | Rockford, Illinois Senior Portrait Photographer

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

September 9, 2016