Ainsworth is a frequent contributor to The Associated Press, The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal among others publications, and serves as the Chair for the National Press Photographer's Association's, New York/International Region. A graduate of San Francisco State University, Heather worked as a staff photographer for The Observer-Dispatch and The Idaho State Journal, and completed photography internships at The Denver Post, The Colorado Springs Gazette and The Montgomery (AL.) Advertiser. A resident of Ithaca, N.Y., Ainsworth enjoys spending her free time outdoors and seeing live music.