Miki Sakai

Photographer

Family Portraits | Wedding | Personal Branding

HeLLO there!

I am Miki, the Owner and Principal Photographer of Miki Sakai Photography in Sydney, Australia. Thank you so much for popping over to this page to find out a little more about me and my story.

IT STARTED from MY TRAVELS

For as long as I can remember I loved being creative but it wasn't until I went travelling to South America 10 years ago that I started to really discover the joy of photography. The freedom I felt to be able to tell stories of the wondrous landscape, the rich and diverse cultures, and the extraordinary people through my lens was like no other. I was hooked.

Miki Sakai Photography - Sydney Wedding Photographer - Sydney Branding Photography - Sydney Family Photographer

Self Portrait taken in my Leichhardt Studio

FROM ARCHITECT TO PHOTOGRAPHER

Then fast forward a few years, my husband's best friend and also one of my closest friend now gifted me a Nikon DSLR as a wedding gift! There was no looking back after that. I started with capturing portraits of people around me, which led to being asked to photograph for a family, which soon became other families.

My little side hustle kept growing over the next few years, as my passion for photography also continued to grow stronger, which culminated in making the big step to leave my career as an Architect to focus on my Photography Business.

Miki Sakai Photography - Sydney Wedding Photographer - Sydney Branding Photography - Sydney Family Photographer - City

In front of one of my completed buildings that I worked on as an Architect in London

MY PASSION TO TELL STORIES

It was a dream come true to become a full-time photographer and a small business owner. It sunk in very quickly that what they say was true: that if you choose a job you love, you will never have to work a day in your life. I feel immense gratitude to be able to do what I absolutely love every day - meeting and photographing people, having the opportunity to connect with them on a very real and personal level, and to be able to narrate their authentic stories.

Miki Sakai Photography - Sydney Wedding Photographer - Sydney Branding Photography - Sydney Family Photographer - Shoot

In my element at a photoshoot at Balmoral Beach

MY ROOTS

My background is rather unusual and unique. I am Japanese born, but have lived in London, New York, Tokyo, Buenos Aires, and now in Sydney. We speak Japanglish (Japanese + English) at home and I also speak Spanish. Moving to new cities and starting all over wasn't always easy but I love coming from a mixed cultural background and I am certain that is why I embrace connecting with people, who have different perspectives, life experiences, and stories to share.

Miki Sakai Photography - Sydney Wedding Photographer - Sydney Branding Photography - Sydney Family Photographer - NYC

On the Brooklyn Bridge, New York

TO PRESENT

My Studio is based in Leichhardt, Inner West Sydney. I am relatively new to the Inner West (my husband and I moved here from Surry Hills towards the end of 2020) but I feel very fortunate to call this place home, for it's fantastic community spirit, really great coffees, beautiful nature and canal-side walks - all available on our doorstep.

When I am not working you will find me hanging out with my wonderful husband and the beautiful people that surround me that I am so lucky to share life with.