yolo journal's yolanda edwards on teaching piano lessons to pay for travel, getting a job at conde nast, and starting her own magazine

camera roll with editor yolanda edwards

May 27, 2025

∙ Paid

Magazine editor Yolanda Edwards’s first phone was a landline in her childhood bedroom — and her first cell phone was rented for her by Conde Nast in the mid-90s. Her career began there, as a member of the photo department at Conde Nast Traveler, and she later became creative director. More recently, she started her own visually stunning travel magazine, Yolo Journal. Her love of exploration and uncovering hidden gems has brought her to California, Greece, Bordeaux, New York, and back again. We spoke with Yolanda about the lock screen photo she might never change, the suburban mom who changed the course of her life, and more. Paid subscribers can scroll down for more from Yolanda, including her advice for emerging travel writers and an inspiring recent discovery.

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I’m old enough that my “first phone” was a landline in my room. My first personal cell phone experience was with one that was rented for me in the mid-90s, when I was working for Conde Nast Traveler and taking a personal vacation. They wanted me to be available, even though I had the lowest position in the photo department. It was a giant phone — seemed like a brick you’d hold up to your ear. The first and only call I got came within moments of beginning a road trip in England. I picked up, and from the other end, I heard “Hello Yolanda, this is Helmut Newton. The team at Traveler told me to contact you as I’m heading to the Florida Keys and wanted some advice.” Needless to say, it gave my husband and me so much to talk about for the rest of the journey — and I’m still talking about it today.

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