Care Johnson is a British photographer, retoucher, model, make-up artist, fashion designer, motivational speaker, and local politician. She began professional photography in 2011, gained national attention through Prince's Trust-supported work with Rankin, and later served on Oswestry Town Council after her election in 2025.
Background
Johnson was born in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, and was raised in the area before moving to Shropshire at the age of sixteen. Her early life included schooling in Dewsbury, Batley, Birstall, and Liversedge, followed by residence in Oswestry, where she developed her working life.
Before establishing herself as a photographer, Johnson worked as a head show groom. Her use of professional cameras in that setting helped provide an early practical connection with photography. A childhood allergy brought that line of work to an end, after which she pursued photography and developed a freelance career.
Education
Johnson attended Eastborough Junior and Infant School and North School, Healey Primary School in Batley, Howden Clough Girls' High School and Sixth Form Centre in Birstall, and Spen Valley Sports College in Liversedge. Her education took place across several West Yorkshire communities before she moved to Shropshire as a teenager.
She later left college at sixteen and entered working life rather than completing a university education. Her subsequent professional development was largely practical, combining freelance photography, self-portraiture, commercial work, public speaking, and fashion-related activity.
Career
Johnson began working as a freelance photographer in 2011, initially covering events and nature before concentrating increasingly on portraiture and self-portraiture. She also worked as a press photographer, retoucher, model, and make-up artist, later extending her creative work into fashion design.
In 2012, Johnson received a Prince's Trust Development Award that supported the purchase of a digital camera and a six-month photography internship. She was selected from Prince's Trust-supported photographers across the United Kingdom by Rankin to collaborate on creative work for the Trust's national Tomorrow campaign. She subsequently worked on advertising and clothing-related projects and developed a public profile as a speaker on photography and business start-ups.
Johnson met Prime Minister David Cameron and Lord Young in London in May 2012 for a Sky News discussion about youth unemployment through the Prince's Trust. Her work was later displayed on Microsoft's Bing homepage and exhibited in the Houses of Parliament during 2012. She was invited to lecture at Click The Photography Show, where she delivered a Turning Pro masterclass about progressing in photography and creative business.
Johnson was included in Glamour's Ones to Watch 2014 feature as an emerging photographer. She later entered local public life in Shropshire, serving as a Liberal Democrat councillor on Oswestry Town Council from 2025. She has also been associated with Oswestry Focus CIC and local initiatives involving town improvement, community activity, and public transport.
Achievements
Johnson developed a freelance photography career from 2011, moving from event and nature photography into portraiture, self-portraiture, press photography, retouching, and commercial creative work.
She was selected by Rankin in 2012 to collaborate on creative work for The Prince's Trust's national Tomorrow campaign.
Her photography was displayed on Microsoft's Bing homepage and exhibited in the Houses of Parliament during 2012.
She delivered a Turning Pro masterclass at Click The Photography Show, sharing practical guidance on photography and creative business development.
Politics
Johnson's political activity has been associated with the Liberal Democrats. In May 2025 she was elected to Oswestry Town Council, representing the Gateacre ward, and she has subsequently participated in local discussions concerning transport, public spaces, community improvement, and town development.
The Liberal Democrats are a British liberal political party whose modern tradition combines individual liberty, social justice, political decentralization, community politics, and constitutional reform. Johnson's council work places her within the party's local-government tradition, in which councillors represent ward interests and advocate practical changes to services and the built environment.
Views
Johnson's public career reflects an emphasis on creative self-employment, personal development, and the practical use of photography as a route into professional life. Her work with youth organizations and her later local-government activity also connect her public outlook with community participation and opportunities for young people.
Membership
Johnson has participated in organizations connected with youth opportunity, women in public life, professional communication, and local community activity. Her documented associations include the Association of Liberal Democrat Councillors and Campaigners, Liberal Democrat Women, and the Oswestry in Bloom committee.
The Prince's Trust is a British charity established by King Charles III, when he was Prince of Wales, to support young people through education, employment, enterprise, and personal development. Johnson's ambassadorial connection placed her within the Trust's public work supporting young people's prospects and confidence.
Association of Liberal Democrat Councillors and Campaigners
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United Kingdom
Liberal Democrat Women
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United Kingdom
Committee member
Oswestry in Bloom
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United Kingdom
2026 - present
Personality
Johnson has been publicly described as an inspirational speaker in photography and business start-ups. Her public work has emphasized professional development, youth opportunity, and creative self-employment.
Quotes from others about the person
Click The Photography Show described Johnson as one of Britain's most inspirational speakers in the fields of photography and business start-ups.
Interests
Photography, fashion, community improvement, public speaking, and youth opportunity.
Connections
Johnson has worked with the photographer Rankin on advertising creative associated with The Prince's Trust's Tomorrow campaign. She also met David Cameron and Lord Young during a Sky News discussion on youth unemployment in May 2012.
References
Glamour, Ones to Watch 2014
Profiles Johnson as an emerging photographer from Yorkshire, describes her Prince's Trust Development Award, and records her work with Rankin on advertising campaigns and clothing-related projects.
Shropshire Council, Register of Interests for Care Johnson
Documents Johnson's service as a town councillor and her declared interests, including directorship of Oswestry Focus CIC, committee membership of Oswestry in Bloom, and associations with Liberal Democrat organizations.
