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. 

>>>><<<< Dan + Breah I raved about Breah + Dan in their engagement photo blog post, so since y’all are so familiar with their awesomeness, I’ll skip that part and head straight to the wedding festivities! Spoiler alert: this was one heck of a way to send off my 2019 wedding season… Breah + Dan’s […]

Dan + Breah | Rockford, Illinois Wedding Photographer

Rainy, urban, rooftop October wedding in downtown Rockford, IL at The Standard with London Avenue, blue suede wedding heels, and a wild flower bouquet - Sara Anne Johnson - Photographer

December 13, 2019

>>>><<<< Summer + Dan This fall’s trend was DEFINITELY gorgeous gardens, because for Summer + Dan, I headed back to Cantigny Park in Wheaton to soak up every last drop of their gorgeous fall foliage! This place makes my job easy, and I’m so thankful for couples who love to take a leap of faith […]

Summer + Dan | Wheaton, Illinois Engagement Session

Cozy, sunset, Fall engagement session with a gorgeous grey diamond at beautiful Cantigny Park in Wheaton, IL by Sara Anne Johnson - Photographer

November 28, 2019

>>>><<<< Samantha + Ted This time of year is full of high school senior sessions, engagement sessions, and weddings, with the stunning fall leaves in full swing and the crisp light breeze in the air… it is the perfect time of year for photo sessions! And this year did NOT disappoint! With Thanksgiving tomorrow, I […]

Samantha + Ted | Rockford, Illinois Engagement Session

Fall, sunset engagement session with emerald green velvet dress and blue sapphire engagement ring at Anderson Japanese Gardens in Rockford, IL by Sara Anne Johnson - Photographer

November 28, 2019

>>>><<<< Emily + Aaron Let me just start by saying that I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Emily for a few years now… she’s one of my amazing bank tellers and I see her almost every week! We have chatted about my business and everything photo related every single time that I drive through her […]

Emily + Aaron | Rockford, Illinois Engagement Session

Fall, sunset engagement session with tons of autumn color at Anderson Japanese Gardens in Rockford, IL by Sara Anne Johnson - Photographer

November 28, 2019

>>>><<<< Jessica + Trent So THIS girl, reached out to me way back in 2018 for her wedding in 2020 and the second that we met, I knew I HAD to work with her! The fact that she reached out to me so long before her wedding made me feel so honored that she could […]

Jessica + Trent | Wheaton, Illinois Engagement Session

Cozy, sunset, Fall engagement session at Cantigny Park in Wheaton, IL by Sara Anne Johnson

November 28, 2019

>>>><<<< Ryne + Anna The weather for Ryne + Anna’s wedding was BEYOND perfection. What more could you ask for on a September day?! Bright sun, a cool breeze, and nothing but love (cheezy, I know, but I can’t help myself)… it was the absolute perfect day for a wedding and I couldn’t be happier […]

Ryne + Anna | Rockford, Illinois Wedding Photographer

Romantic champagne blush and navy September wedding at Rockford Bank and Trust Pavilion in Rockford Il photographed by Sara Anne Johnson

October 22, 2019

>>>><<<< Adrian + Kiryn It’s no secret that I love to photograph weddings. The thrill and excitement of the day… the unveiling of the bride in her dress… the look on the groom’s face as he watches his bride walk down the aisle towards him… the moment when the couple is pronounced “husband + wife”… […]

Adrian + Kiryn | Rockford, Illinois Wedding Photographer

Private, intimate Northern Illinois elopement style wedding in the woods with vintage rental furniture, The Noble Cakery, and a blush wedding gown - by Sara Anne Johnson. Sara Johnson Photography

September 23, 2019

>>>><<<< Danny + Shelbie Shelbie worked at the reception counter of a tattoo shop where Danny couldn’t stop coming in for tattoos, because guess why, he had a crush on the receptionist! He LITERALLY kept getting new tattoos just to see her at the tattoo parlour… tell me that isn’t adorable! Fast forward to their […]

Danny + Shelbie | Rockford, Illinois Wedding Photographer

Chic, urban, rooftop summer wedding in downtown Rockford, IL at The Standard with London Avenue, Arch Apothecary, and gold, black, and green accents - Sara Anne Johnson - Photographer

August 10, 2019

>>>><<<< Anna + Ryne There’s an overwhelming feeling of comfort when you meet someone (or “two someone’s”) who you just click with right away, and for me, those two are Anna + Ryne. I met Anna at the beginning of February at Something Blue Bridal Expo, where I was lucky enough to photograph the event! […]

Anna + Ryne | Belvidere, Illinois Engagement Session

Winter engagement session with a mid-century modern twist, coffee, and ice cream at Sips + Sprinkles in Belvidere IL by Sara Anne Johnson

July 7, 2019

>>>><<<< Eric + Caroline April 27th, 2019 was supposed to be a sunny spring day filled with luxurious navy fabrics, the most beautiful lemons, and a wedding couple who couldn’t wait for their big day. But instead, April 27th, 2019 gave us snow… not spring. Guess what happened? We made lemonade anyway! Caroline + Eric […]

Eric + Caroline | Rockford, Illinois Wedding Photographer

Navy and lemon spring wedding with hanging head table florals at Rockford Bank and Trust Pavilion by Sara Anne Johnson

April 30, 2019