Life Designer with Jingyu Chen
Capturing once in a lifetime moment and each encounter is one of a kind and unique. Life designer is looking to genuine and meaningful human connection, and telling candid human stories. In each episode, I will interview an amazing talent coming from all around the world across all different industries. They are artists, creatives, professionals, entrepreneurs, slash everything, and they are all on their journey to pursue their mission with a passion. It's their story-telling about how they become their own life designers! Please feel free to visit my website to find more information: https://www.lifedesignerwithjingyuchen.com/
I am also running my solo podcast ‘Jing Lens’ -- my lifestyle diary . Here I share daily hustle and grind, small joys from my travel and hobbies, exercise routine, self-care practice, and reflection on my personal growth, etc., I consider Jing Lens as my dynamic diary to document and capture evolving and ( hopefully elevating) journey of my lifestyle. Lifestyle is a bit overkill buzzword today but I have always been drawn to this word, spending years and years searching and building my lifestyle. I guess I finally reach this self-validation point to feel may be able to to share some mindset and practice from an ordinary person’s life to provide one possible form of wholesome and joyful living.
Both podcasts are located in my website. My website is like my container where I put my heart and soul to curate . Please feel free to visit my website to check in both podcasts if you are interested. Thank you so much for listening to my podcasts!
Life Designer with Jingyu Chen
Tokyo Epic Reunion : Miki Is Back — A Full-Circle Moment | Part Two
In Part Two, we shine a spotlight on a new chapter of Miki Sakai Photography—the transition from Sydney to Tokyo. In our previous podcast, Miki shared her vision of reaching clients around the world. I said it back then: Miki belongs to the world. And today, she’s truly thriving on the global stage.
As a photographer who has traversed both Western and Eastern landscapes—from the southern hemisphere to a bustling Asian metropolis—Miki’s creative lens continues to evolve. The relocation added depth and nuance to her artistry. This shift also brought a new client base. In Sydney, she was often welcomed into local homes for intimate family portraits. Now in Tokyo, she works with international families and travelers capturing once-in-a-lifetime memories. There’s a reciprocal energy exchange that reinvigorates her creativity. As clients bring fresh eyes to the city, Miki discovers its beauty daily. This dynamic allows her to transform fleeting joy into enduring visual storytelling.
Miki’s artistry transcends visuals—it’s rooted in empathy, authenticity, and emotional resonance. Each image holds timeless emotional weight. As she describes: “I see myself as an ambassador for the city love—offering a warm, thoughtful experience that helps families feel seen, welcomed, and connected to the magic of Tokyo. It’s not just about the photos—it’s about the story they’ll take home.”
When asked why storytelling sits at the heart of her work, she said: "I’ve always believed a single image can say more than a thousand words. But more than that, photographs hold emotion, memory, connection, legacy. When I look at old family photos, I see a story—a memory that would otherwise be lost."
This is why I deeply admire her work. It’s not just photography—it’s art, anchored in humility and intention. Her frames become visual heirlooms passed down for generations. Miki truly lives her ethos: Where Tender Moments Meet Heartfelt Stories. Personally, I’ve gained so much strength, inspiration, joy, and hope from her artistry—where our values align and our aesthetics unite. Officially, I want to say:Thank you, Miki, for crafting beauty and adding light to this world!
She shared her proud moments: The biggest one has been raising her daughter—from babyhood through the toddler years—while essentially restarting her business from scratch in Tokyo. She recalled: “It’s the kind of dedication no one sees—no one gives you a pat on the back at 1 a.m.—but you know what it takes. And I’m incredibly proud of her for that.”
I also shared my proud moments: my home tour video project last year, and this year, publishing my first book: Life Designer with Jingyu Chen: A Journey Towards Discipline, Mastery, Radiance. My message is: yes, we are all constrained—by skills, resources, or self-doubt—but we can transcend limitations.
We reminisced on beautiful memories Miki and I carved out in both Sydney and Tokyo. We also envision what the future hold for both of us. Miki’s vision for Miki Sakai Photography is to continue creating work that feels honest, emotive, and timeless. In the long term, she’d love to give back to the community by mentoring photographers.
I want to end with her vision that deeply moved me: “I don’t see my work as just photography—it’s a way of observing life with care and depth. If I can continue offering that to others, while staying connected to my own creative truth, then that’s the path I want to keep walking.”
Links
Website: https://www.mikisakai.com/
Instagram: mikisakaiphotography