Model References
I was so nervous about modeling nude for the first time, but when I modeled for Ace, I found that within minutes I was completely absorbed in what we were creating together. It’s hard to explain, but seeing yourself transformed into a work of art – more like a classical painting than a photo — changed how I saw myself.
— Madison T., age 21, Omaha, NE
Your biggest fear when you pose nude for someone is that for some reason the pictures will be embarrassing. The first time looking at the back of Ace’s camera during the shoot I knew I had nothing to worry about. The images were gorgeous even before he turned them into final artwork and shooting with Ace was fun and relaxed. When one of our pieces sold at a gallery opening and I got my share, it hit me – I’m not just a model, I’m part of creating something people actually want to own.
— Chloe B., age 24, Des Moines, IA
So much fun shooting with Ace von Alling! I had never posed nude before, and honestly, I discovered something in myself I didn’t know was there. It’s empowering to be part of creating real art.
— Rachel E., age 25, Sioux Falls, SD
I’ve been posing for Ace since I was 18, and it’s absolutely been a life changer for my confidence and my self image. I can’t imagine where I’d be in my life if I hadn’t taken the leap. Ace has been a consummate professional the entire time I’ve known him, and it’s been amazing to see the art that I’ve been a part of. Some of our finished pieces are in private collections now – knowing that gives me this incredible sense of accomplishment.
— Taylor B., age 23, Minneapolis, MN
Ace is a real professional and a class act. He’s everything you’d want in a photographer, and he treats you like an actual collaborator, not just someone to point a camera at.
— Lily J., age 22, Manhattan, KS
I chose Ace for my first time posing nude because I’d heard from other models he’d worked with about how easy and comfortable he makes everything. He always seems to know exactly the thing to say to make the next step of a photoshoot feel like the most natural thing in the world. But what really hooked me was realizing I wasn’t just “posing” – I was actually contributing something meaningful to each image.
— Dana R., age 18, New York, NY
Ace is the perfect mix of friendly and professional. He gets the image he wants and pushes you to get the image you want, without ever making you feel like you’re being pushed beyond your limits. Every shoot I do with him, I discover new things I can express through my body. It’s become this incredible creative outlet I never expected.
— Olivia G., age 20, Lincoln, NE
If I had to pick a short phrase to describe Ace, I’d have to say “Very sweet hardass.” He always seems driven to accomplish a mission and he wants you on his team. And you want to be on his team because of how excited he is. Plus when you see the final art and realize you helped create that? The feeling is unbeatable.
— Natalie H., age 26, Cedar Rapids, IA
My older sister brought home photos Ace had taken of her. I found them in her keepsake box when I was 14 and decided that day I’d pose for him. I’ve been his biggest fan for 5 years now, and I make sure I find a way to model for him once a month, and have since a month after I turned 18. It’s become this essential part of who I am – not just modeling, but being an artist in my own way.
— Emily S., age 19, Rapid City, SD
I’m a former athlete, and while I always knew I was in good physical condition, I never felt like I was anything more than a machine for playing my sport. Well-trained lumps of muscle with femininity and beauty taking a back seat. Ace handed me a card one day and I came to his website and filled out an application. I’ve never felt more beautiful than I do seeing these amazing pieces of art where my own body is the centerpiece! The discipline from sports actually helps – holding poses is its own athletic challenge.
— Georgia P., age 21, Lawrence, KS
I was worried about what my family would think, I’m not going to lie. I talked with Ace for a long time leading into shooting with him. We discussed what my family would think and what they thought about art in general. One day I said something about a particular picture that hung in my grandparents’ house that my parents had always liked… Ace said “Got it! Get over here and we’ll make what you need.” We shot all afternoon and he made an image that was a perfect pair to the print of a painting at my grandparents’ house and gave me a copy of it to give them. My mom is now Ace’s biggest fan and bothers me about when I’ll be modeling for him again…. She’s proud that I’m creating art, not just taking pictures.
— Katie M., age 26, Omaha, NE
I never thought I was the kind of pretty girl who’d wind up modeling, but I’d always loved art. I love drawing and painting, and when I saw the things Ace is doing at one of his shows, I thought I’d take the plunge. What can it hurt to fill out an online form, right? I definitely didn’t expect Ace to call me because I do have a couple of tattoos (not big or anything) but when I got there and he helped me get them covered with makeup, I knew I was in good hands. When I saw the photos, I wondered if I maybe was the kind of pretty girl who could model. When I stood next to a print of myself at an art show and watched people’s reactions, I knew I’d made the right choice. I felt like a real artist.
— Paige N., age 22, Sioux Falls, SD
When I saw Ace’s portfolio for the first time, I wondered how a woman got the confidence to do that. But the idea fascinated me so much that I couldn’t stop checking for updates to his work. I stalked his socials and tracked down his books. By the time I finally posed for him, I was a nervous wreck, but within fifteen minutes of the first shutter click, being in his studio was like hanging out in my own bedroom with an old friend. You know, when you’re getting ready for a party and you’re in the middle of the conversation and don’t realize you’ve stopped changing and are just chatting completely naked. The rest of that afternoon was just that same mental space, but boy is modeling for Ace a workout! Practice your yoga! What I didn’t expect was how addictive it would become – not the modeling itself, but the creative high you get from making something beautiful together.
— Willow M., age 24, Lincoln, NE
Working with Ace while I was cheering in college was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I wanted the experience and the money came in handy. I loved seeing the art he made of me, and he was able to hold back my images from publications until I’d graduated so I could keep my cheer scholarship. When those pieces finally went public and started selling, getting those checks was incredible – not just for the money, but knowing people valued what we’d created together. Ace von Alling is an amazing artist, a good friend, and a true gentleman!
— Zoe H., age 22, Duluth, MN
I’m a professional model and my agency sent me for a test with Ace while he was back in the city on one of his testing trips. Ace is one of the most pleasant photographers out there to work with. He can look at your body and be appreciative without leering. He can talk about life experience and women’s bodies without being weird like you get with a lot of young photographers. What surprised me was how different it felt from agency work – this was actual collaboration, not just following directions.
— Amelia K., age 24, New York, NY
I drove up to Norfolk, NE not knowing what to expect out of my first nude modeling gig. Ace made everything safe and easy, and he was happy to work me through the new experience. He’s willing to try things that might fail. He’s willing to say off-the-wall things to get a reaction. I can’t imagine having modeled for anyone else my first time. Now I’m hooked – not on modeling, but on creating art that matters.
— Ava L., age 26, Omaha, NE
Being a student at a small religious school in the midwest makes deciding to model nude really nerve-wracking. They’re not going to kick me out, but there’s a lot of baggage from some parts of your friend groups, classmates, and teammates — I’m a student athlete — but I’d always wanted to do something like this, and when I saw Ace’s flyer near my campus, I knew I had to at least consider it. When I showed some prints to my friends, a few of them even asked if I thought he’d want them to model! They could see it wasn’t just about taking your clothes off – it was about creating something meaningful.
— Caroline N., age 20, Sioux Falls, SD
My best friend and I went in to shoot together, and it was an unforgettable experience. I think we’re going to go back and work with Ace again! It’s been such a cool part of our friendship and brought us closer in ways we never would have expected! Ace made the whole process go smooth and kept everything fun and low-stress, even though he was clearly working his butt off to make the pictures he wanted! We both felt like we’d discovered this secret superpower we didn’t know we had.
— Daisy O., age 22, Minneapolis, MN
Modeling for Ace von Alling was an amazingly fun experience! I’m so much more confident in myself! It’s such a cool thing to know that there’s literal artwork out there made of you that someone looks at every day! And when those pieces sell and you get your cut? It’s validation on a whole other level.
— Elizabeth P., age 25, Olathe, KS