Harumichi Saitō experienced limited hearing from childhood, using hearing aids and undergoing pronunciation training where sign language was discouraged as embarrassing. This shifted when he entered Shakujii School for the Deaf during high school, discovering sign language enabled genuine communication without anxiety. This transformation inspired him to document his experiences visually through self-portraits capturing sign language expressions, initially using disposable cameras. Frustration with technical limitations led him to study photography intensely, including attending a photography school in Osaka without accessibility supports like interpreters. He relied on observation and library resources while balancing photography with office work in web-related mail-order sales, taking pictures during time off. After three years, he left for part-time work in snowy mountains while persistently pursuing photography. Recognition arrived through awards: an honorable mention in Canon New Cosmos of Photography for "タイヤ(Tire)" followed by an excellence award for "同類(Dourui)." At 23, he published the photo book "せかいはことば(Sekai wa kotoba)," reflecting his philosophy where photographs reveal overlooked "words"—subtle details like a cord's undulation or dust particles—connecting small subjects to grand concepts like the universe. He prefers capturing connections between children and vast environments over conventionally beautiful imagery.

Professionally, he initiated the "Co-coco" project, specifically the "Visiting Working Deaf People" series. This addresses gaps in occupational visibility for deaf individuals, countering limited perceptions of roles like clerical work. By interviewing deaf professionals across Japan and creating portraits and sign language videos without subtitles or audio, the project broadens societal perceptions. It helps prevent scenarios where deaf children's aspirations are dismissed due to unawareness of career possibilities.

Exploring unconventional communication, he joined Dog Legs, a disabled wrestling group, despite initial disinterest. Participation included matches under equalized conditions, such as fighting a paraplegic opponent with restricted mobility. Post-match photography revealed intense nonverbal understanding developed through physical contact, reinforcing his belief in bodily communication, especially with individuals unable to use written or spoken language.

Family life involves raising hearing children with his deaf wife, communicating primarily in sign language. Early parenting anxiety stemmed from scarce information on sign language-based child-rearing. Documenting this journey, he maintained a daily cartoon diary for four to five years, preserving moments of mutual understanding. Challenges included linguistic gaps, such as his child's untranslatable request for "Rusoya," highlighting complexities in bridging spoken Japanese and sign language. The diary evolved into an animation, capturing humorous and poignant interactions to leave records for other deaf parents.