Albert Johnson was born in Denmark in 1880 and immigrated to America as an orphan. He worked and lived at a New York bakery, sleeping in the ovens during the winter to stay warm. It is unknown how he came to be in Fairbanks, where he lived from 1905 to 1914. He also lived in Nenana, 1916 to 1918. From 1916 to 1918 he was one of the official photographers for the Alaska Engineering Commission and worked on a special assignment, documenting the very beginnings of the town of Nenana. He met and married Jennie Landers with whom he had a daughter, Alice. In 1914 they moved to McKinleyville, California, and later to Oakland where he operated a successful portrait gallery, however he returned for a time to the North to work.

Johnson documented Eskimo life near Nome, walrus hunting, village activities and modes of travel by coastal Natives. His wife and daughter also became favorite subjects. He traveled often, photographing everyday life with an 8 x 10 inch field camera but also worked in other sizes. His photography skills and his love of Alaska are reflected in the images he created.

In Fairbanks, the Johnson Studio was first located at 290 lst Avenue, and later moved to 3rd Avenue near Cushman Street. Johnson was one of the official photographers for the U.S. Alaska Engineering Commission. Johnson died in California at age 47, in 1926. Other Johnson photographs may be found in the Alaska Engineering Commission Collection, PCA 131. [From: Peter Palmquist, Alaska Journal, 1981.]