[1][2] She is noted for her work in photography and for her multifaceted interests in mixed media and visual presentation, particularly in fashion and its relation to identity, as well as for dating actress Amber Heard.

In several interviews, she referred to actress Amber Heard as her main muse: "Gala is to Salvador Dali, Kiki de Montparnasse is to Man Ray, Beatrice is to Dante Alighieri.

[13][14] She has been exhibited both as a solo photographer and with other notable artists, including Gus Van Sant, Amy Arbus, David Lynch, and Jessica Lange.

[16] In August 2015, van Ree contributed a poem to the "A Letter to My Younger Self" series on the blog for the fashion and home decor online store, The Dreslyn.

[23] A statement was then issued by van Ree saying that Heard had been "wrongfully" accused and that the incident had been "misinterpreted and over-sensationalized", while also recalling "hints of misogynistic attitudes toward us which later appeared to be homophobic when they found out we were domestic partners and not just 'friends'“ and adding that Heard and her "shared 5 wonderful years together and remain close to this day.”[24] The arresting officer, Beverly Leonard, who herself is a lesbian, would subsequently deny both accusations of homophobia and misogyny as being the basis for the arrest made that day.