Ashley grew up between many countries, including Ireland and Australia. She trained at the American Film Institute Conservatory, the youngest in her class. In 2018 she was one of 15 women to have received accreditation from the Australian Cinematographers’ Society. She lensed an array of commercials and music videos before starting in high-end TV with Australian Academy Award winning series The Tailings. Her work has been profiled in the British, American and Australian Cinematography magazines.