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. 

>>><<<< Valerie + Erik People are constantly placed into + removed from our lives for reasons beyond our comprehension. Valerie (who I call Vali) was one of those people who was placed into my life as a new co-worker when we both started working at LongHorn Steakhouse as servers. I am so thankful that I […]

Valerie + Erik | Rockford, Illinois Engagement Photographer

Chicago, Illinois Engagement session on Lake Michigan with a background of the city skyscrapers photography by Sara Anne Johnson

August 26, 2016

>>>><<<< May 28th was “the day”… my first wedding of the 2016 season!! And I couldn’t be more excited that my first couple of the year was Christian + Kailey. Christian is so sweet and caring and completely all about Kailey, and Kailey is one of the most genuine people that I have ever met. […]

Christian + Kailey | Rockford, Illinois Wedding Photographer

Glam, Elegant, Gold Wedding at Oak Hill by Sara Anne Johnson

June 1, 2016

I met Amanda at Northern Illinois University where we both graduated with our Bachelors in Fine Art – Photography. We’ve been friends since 2010, and since we met at NIU, it was only natural for Amanda to want to shoot her engagement photos on the campus. Jeff, who is also an NIU alumni, LOVES hockey […]

Amanda + Jeff | Rockford, Illinois Engagement Photographer

NIU couple fall engagement session in Northern Illinois, DeKalb, Illinois

December 13, 2015

It’s really all in the family with these two. Taylor’s parents have known my parents forever, so that practically makes us related! So when she asked me to shoot their engagement session (and their wedding, eeeckk!!) I was ecstatic! Umm, YES! Of course! I would love to! Taylor + Chas’ wedding date is hidden in […]

Taylor + Chas | Rockford, Illinois Engagement Photographer

December 11, 2015

Let me tell you…it is one of the hardest (if not THE HARDEST) things in the world to tell your bride that you already have her date booked with someone else. And let me tell you another thing…it never gets any easier. Nicole was referred to me by yet another amazing gal pal of mine, […]

Nicole + Brad | Rockford, Illinois Engagement Photographer

Anderson Japanese Gardens fall engagement session, Rockford, Illinois Sara Johnson Photography

December 9, 2015

Where to begin with these two… Well let’s see, I’ve known Courtney for YEARS, I worked with her at the Rockford Park District at the Carlson Ice Arena. She was into hockey, and I figure skated, so when she asked me to shoot her engagement photos, I was instantly like “ummmm YES!” Courtney + Michael […]

Courtney + Michael | Rockford, Illinois Engagement Photographer

McEachran Homestead Winery fall engagement session, Rockford, Illinois Sara Johnson Photography

December 5, 2015

Pat + Delaney have been one of my favorite couples since day one. They’re sweet puppy love, Mira, was part of their engagement shoot last year at an abandoned farm…if you forgot about that shoot go check it out, we had a blast!! These two were (as of this post, Delaney JUST gave birth to […]

Pat + Delaney | Rockford, Illinois Wedding Photographer

Naperville wedding, bride and groom share a kiss under the veil | Rockford, Illinois Wedding Photographer Sara Anne Johnson

June 25, 2015

Remember the adorable engagement session with the sassy pooch, Jackson? Well, his parents got married! Liz + Josh tied the knot on a GORGEOUS day in May…it was picture perfect. Liz has been my friend since the day we met in third grade, so when she asked me to photograph her wedding (like, years ago…she […]

Josh + Liz | Rockford, Illinois Wedding Photographer

Summer White Pines Wedding Rockford, Illinois Wedding Photographer Sara Anne Johnson

June 24, 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

Last June, I photographed a gorgeous wedding for the lovely Kevin + Jennie Goss…Christine, who just so happened to be Jennie’s MOH and best friend, asked me right then and there if I would email her with information on shooting her wedding a few months later in November. There’s nothing better than clicking with someone […]

Matt + Christine | Rockford, Illinois Wedding Photographer

March 11, 2015