Cortney Bigelow

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thegreyedit.com | Instagram | Photography Instagram | Photography Site

1. Tell me a little bit about you, who is Cortney outside of work?

I consider myself a modern woman that constantly goes after what she wants -- and I try to encourage the other women around me to do the same. I'm a Libra that craves fresh air, balance, new experiences and beautiful things. I have a love for a lack of color and curating a wardrobe of quality, versatile basics with a bit edge (which I like to refer to as elevated basics). I tend to over-share, but am really good at keeping secrets. Shoes are my weakness, as is pistachio gelato. I’m a big believer in prioritizing the things that fuel you -- self-care and self-improvement are my jam. I love a good morning routine and most days you can find me getting in a morning sweat on our Peloton, meditating with my Calm app and sipping on my bulletproof coffee. I'm a wife and a mother and my boys Trevor, Boden and Smalls. They are my light.

2. What do you do for work?

I'm a lifestyle photographer and blogger operating under the name, The Grey Edit. After years of blogging as a hobby, I decided to get serious and launch The Grey Edit on the morning of my 31st birthday. It started off as a creative outlet where I could document outfits and life happenings and since has evolved into a space where women can come to get inspired. A few years in, I decided to jump ship from my 9-5 to see if I could make something out of blogging full time. I learned it's a marathon, not a sprint when it comes to making money in the space, and also was craving something more... so I decided to explore other ways of making money alongside. I dabbled in freelancing in web design, launching a product and then a light bulb clicked. I'd been shooting for years as a hobby, so why not see if I could take it further? I launched The Grey Edit Photo early last year and though I had to take a bit of a pause due to COVID, it's been growing ever since. Now, in addition to inspiring women on the daily with style and life bits, I get to capture the women who are paving their own way in hopes to empower other women to do the same. I focus on portraits, moments and branding and it's so. damn. fulfilling.

3. As a female entrepreneur and business owner working in a competitive industry, what are some of the biggest obstacles you have faced within your industry / the workplace?

Honestly, I feel more empowered than ever to be a female entrepreneur. In the years I spent working in the startup and corporate world, I had to work hard to find a tribe of women to lean on as mentors and supporting colleagues. As a woman in tech, you were the minority and had to really speak up to get your ideas heard. I founded programs that acted as platforms where women could come together and be heard. In the corporate world, I observed years of experience and playing politics was the thing to get ahead. I wasn't patient enough for either scenario so I decided to go out on my own, and it was the best decision. Now, I'm able to make the moves I want and connect with the people I need to further my business. I don't see any barriers in front of me as I did before.

4. What women in your life inspire you and why?

I'm inspired by every new client I meet through The Grey Edit Photo -- and honestly, I think that's why I love this new role so much. Every woman has their own story -- whether it's how they started their side hustle, meeting their SO or their journey in motherhood. I'm on a high after every shoot, getting to hear a new version, capturing her in a new light.

5. What advice would you give to women who want to pursue a new life direction -- whether that be moving to a new city, pursuing a new career path, starting a side hustle or choosing a new major in school?

Stop planning and just start. I thought and planned and talked about my blog for years and wish I would have started earlier. The brand I've created is always evolving and never in a perfect state in my eyes, so I've learned to just welcome the change and evolution. Also, surround yourself with people that inspire you and are doing cool shit. The women I've met from the blogging community cover such a range of creativity, and it's been so inspiring. Collaborations and new ideas have formed from the people I've met. If you put yourself out there, you'll get so much more.

6. How do you balance a job, motherhood, personal life and passions? Is there such a thing as balance?

As I mentioned before, I crave balance -- always have. Since becoming an entrepreneur and a mother, I've learned that balance, though incredibly hard, is completely doable. You just have to stay more fluid. I set a schedule, but it's never permanent -- so adapting as things get thrown my way is key. The way I see it, if I carve out time for myself in the mornings, allow productivity during the day for my business and spend time with my family at night -- it's a win. Sometimes I make time for family during the day and cram in work at night, and that's the beauty of being an entrepreneur. The schedule is as you make it.

7. What are some ways you implement self-care?

Morning routine. I can't stress this enough as it's changed my life. Carving out time for myself in the am has helped me gain structure around being an entrepreneur, fuel my motivation and get confidence and swag back as a mom. From making my bed, getting in some sort of movement and sipping on coffee in front of the computer. Lately, I've been on a 5am wakeup kick and there's truly nothing better than getting in a solid two hours of 'me time' before the little man wakes up.

8. What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders, movers and shakers?

Be kind and stay curious. When I look back on my career, the women who took the time to be kind and encourage me truly stand out. They gave me the confidence that I could actually be something great. Being kind is a simple, but highly impactful thing. And staying curious. Asking questions, finding new ways of doing things, not taking no for an answer. You've got to develop grit and staying curious in my opinion gets you there.

9. How can women advocate for each other?

By stopping throwing shade on other women online. Being in the influencer space I see it a lot, and it's hard. I am all about standing up for what's authentic and true. I don't agree with a lot of practices in the space that support over-consumption and a false sense of reality. And as much as I want to kindly nudge the women hustling doing fast fashion try ons, they're still trying to hustle, and that, I can appreciate. As women, it's our job to build and lift each other up. I love the idea of overcrowding with good to push out the bad, instead of canceling or cutting out the bad altogether. So instead of hating on others, I say let's push a more positive conversation on what this space has the potential to evolve into.

10. What is your power color and why?

Black all the way. Sure it's technically a shade and not a color but it gives me just that -- the perfect shade of confidence. I feel powerful, sophisticated and motivated when I wear it... and save the color for my lip for an added punch ;).

11. What is your female anthem – the song that hypes you up and makes you feel like a girl boss and that you can take on anything in the world?

I will forever remember the Girls episode when Lena Dunham rocked a shirt full of holes with nothing under to a club and danced her face off to Icona Pop's "I Don't Care". I've struggled in the past with giving way too many f*cks in life -- and this song just makes me want to dance throughout the rest of life giving zero.

Portrait illustrations are by Hailey Coral.

WOMEN ARE MAGIC | Cortney Bigelow