She was given her first camera by George Eastman, creater of the Eastman Kodak cameras.  Johnston also received training in both photography and dark room techniques from Thomas Smillie, who was the director of photography at the Smithsonian.  She got a lot of pracitce by taking photos and working in the Eastman Kodak company in D.C.  In addition, she took many photos of her family, and of the weathy American class and celebrities. 

Alice Roosevelt, eldest daughter of Teddy Roosevelt 1906