About Me

Hello, I’m Yulia. Thanks for stopping by!

I am a freelance travel journalist, photographer, writer, educator, budding filmmaker, and entrepreneur. I strongly believe that travel makes us better human beings—more tolerant, open-minded, and sensitive to cultures and viewpoints different than our own.

I was born in Kazakhstan, grew up in Estonia, and now live in the United States. I have traveled the world extensively and turned to a career in travel media after getting an MBA and working more than a decade for large organizations—first as a Navy Sailor, then as a brand manager at Fortune 500 companies.

I work with travel publications and brands on creating travel stories (photography, written word, social content, and video). I specialize in art, culture, artisan craft, and ancient traditions, but above all, what interests me are human stories. For past assignments, I’ve shared a roof with nomads in Mongolia, traced the origins of Iznik tiles with artisans in Turkey, and learned the art of imigongo with artist collectives in Rwanda.

I am open to commissions, assignments, and collaborations around the globe. If you are a travel editor or a brand, let’s chat!

My work appears in National Geographic Traveller, BBC Travel, AFAR, CONDE NAST Traveller, Lonely Planet, and more. I am a member of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and a two-time winner of Muster Awards, the SATW’s annual photography competition. I am a Skillshare Ambassador as of Oct 2019.

In 2018, I founded NOMⴷD + JULES, a small-group travel company to destinations that are often misunderstood (departing to Jordan, Oman, Morocco, and more).

In 2021, I was named one of Wanderful’s 12 resident experts.

In 2021, 2022, and 2023, I, alongside other expert travel photographers and writers, was invited to lead a series of masterclasses on travel photography for National Geographic Traveller (UK).

I'm the founder of Travel Media Lab, a storytelling and educational platform for individuals interested in getting started in travel journalism and brands looking to advance their storytelling.

I also host the Going Places podcast and run brand partnerships for brands interested in reaching our podcast listeners.

You can shop my prints here.