"Personal branding isn't just about your website, words, and content - What you wear is a visual cue to how you lead, speak, and show up." - Holly Meyer Lucas

What I Wear on Stage, for Photoshoots, and for Business Branding

One thing I’ve learned in my years as a professional speaker and leader is this: what I wear can deeply impact the message I’m trying to convey - whether I’m speaking to a live audience, filming content, or showing up for my team.

When your outfit aligns with your personal brand and your message - that’s a win.
When it’s misaligned - you’re already working against yourself.

Clothing can feel like a small detail, but it communicates something whether you intend it to or not. On stage, on camera, and in professional photos, your outfit should support your credibility - not distract from it.

I’m often asked about what I wear on stages, for photoshoots, and for advice on what business owner women should wear that comes across professional, feminine, powerful, and not too sexy.

As a professional speaker, thought leader, and podcast host, what I wear is never accidental. Whether I’m on stage, behind a microphone, in front of a camera, or shooting editorial-style lifestyle photos for media features, my outfits are part of my personal brand strategy.

Because clothing is communication. And on camera, it speaks before you do.

Sizing Details (Because Fit Matters)

I’m sharing sizing because it’s one of the most helpful pieces of information when you’re shopping outfit links and trying to replicate a look.

I fluctuate between a size 4 and 10 for pants, dresses, and skirts. For tops and shirts, I range from small to large depending on my pregnancy body stage. My shoe size is around a 9, also depending on pregnancy stage. I’m 5'7, and I design outfits around how they photograph, move, and read on stage and on camera - not just how they look on a hanger.

For the photo pictured here, I’m wearing a size 10 skirt and a medium top.

Outfit Breakdown - Yellow Skirt + Studded Heels for a Lifestyle Photoshoot

This outfit was styled for a professional lifestyle photoshoot used for headshots, editorial media placement, and branded social media content tied to a real estate industry story. I paired these studded heels with a yellow skirt to create a look that felt confident, modern, and visually strong without pulling focus away from the message.

This is one of those combinations that photographs beautifully and feels effortless. Yellow is a color that can go either way depending on tone and styling, but when done right, it brings warmth, authority, and approachability to professional imagery.

If you have blonde hair or longer blonde hair like I do, yellow creates contrast and energy on camera without feeling overpowering. The studded heels added structure and edge, balancing the softness of the skirt and keeping the look grounded in leadership rather than trend.

What This Look Works for: Speakers, Founders, and Real Estate Professionals

Specifically:

• Professional headshots and editorial photography

• Lifestyle branding photoshoots for social media

• Speaker imagery for websites and press kits

• Personal brand visuals for business owners and real estate professionals

If you’re wondering what to wear for a professional photoshoot, podcast recording, or on-stage appearance, the goal is always the same: clarity, consistency, and alignment with your brand.

Your outfit should reinforce who you are, what you do, and how you want to be perceived.

I’ve linked the exact heels and skirt I’m wearing here, along with additional yellow skirt options and similar heel styles that work well for professional photoshoots, speaking engagements, and personal brand imagery. Scroll below to explore outfit ideas you can adapt to your own brand, body, and industry.

Need Help Defining Your Outfit Brand Identity?

If you’re struggling to figure out what to wear for a photoshoot, speaking engagement, podcast appearance, or personal brand content, you don’t have to guess.

At Hype Boss Agency, we specialize in personal brand sessions that help business owners, founders, speakers, and thought leaders define how they show up visually. That includes wardrobe strategy, outfit planning for photoshoots, and building a cohesive personal brand look that works across your website, social media, press, and stage appearances.

If you want support dialing in your outfit brand identity or aligning your wardrobe with your personal brand, Hype Boss Agency can help. This is what we do every day - helping women show up confidently, professionally, and unmistakably as themselves.

Outfit details and professional photoshoot styling ideas are linked below.

What to Wear for Professional Headshots and a Personal Brand Photoshoot

If you’re preparing for professional headshots or a personal brand photoshoot, your outfit choice matters more than most people realize - because your images are often the first introduction people get to your credibility.

Before someone hears you speak, listens to your podcast, reads your bio, or books a call, they’re forming an opinion based on your photos. That’s why what you wear should feel intentional and aligned with the message you want your brand to communicate.

Here are a few things I always consider when choosing outfits for professional headshots, lifestyle photoshoots, and branded content sessions:

1. Choose structure over “cute”

A photoshoot is not the time for flimsy fabrics, overly flowy pieces, or anything that collapses on camera. Structured silhouettes photograph as confident and polished. Think tailored tops, clean lines, and outfits that hold their shape when you move.

2. Let your neckline work for you

Necklines make a huge difference in how your face and posture photograph. Higher necklines can read more authoritative, while a well-cut v-neck can be flattering without being overly revealing. The goal is always the same - professional, feminine, powerful, and not too sexy.

3. Pick colors that photograph well (and match your brand)

Neutrals are timeless, but intentional color can be a branding tool. If your brand is bold and confident, a strong color can make you look memorable and magnetic - especially in lifestyle photography. Yellow, for example, can read warm, modern, and high-energy when styled correctly.

4. Avoid distracting patterns and overly trendy details

Small patterns can distort on camera, and overly trendy pieces can date your photos quickly. Solid colors, clean textures, and purposeful accessories photograph best and keep your images timeless.

5. Think about where these images will live

Your outfit should support the context of the shoot - not just the photo itself. Ask yourself where these images are going and how they’ll be used:

• Website header photos

• Podcast cover art

• Speaker one-sheets and press kits

• Real estate branding + client-facing content

• Media features + magazine placements

• Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube thumbnails

If you need your photos to work across multiple platforms, you want an outfit that carries both authority and personality.

And that’s exactly why I loved this yellow skirt and studded heel combination - it photographed beautifully, felt elevated, and translated across everything I needed it for.