Phoenix Suns guard Josh Okogie is best known for his defensive tenacity and vitality on the basketball court. This summer, however, he has been channeling his energy into a contrasting passion: photography.
Okogie’s journey into photography began on a spontaneous note during a vacation in Milan, Italy, coinciding with Fashion Week. With a Sony a7 III camera in hand and encouragement from a friend, he embarked on capturing the essence of his surroundings through the lens.
"I've kind of figured out how the camera works, how to do the settings, how to do the white balance and all that. So it's been pretty cool," Okogie shared.
The transition from dribbling a basketball to handling a camera has not been without its challenges. Okogie openly admits the steep learning curve he faces. "I'm still not good. I'll say 90-95% of my pictures are BS, but I feel like I've gotten better -- slightly -- each day I've taken pictures," he confessed.
Adjusting to a Different Pace
One significant hurdle for Okogie has been adapting to the speed of capturing live sports action, an environment where he usually excels but now finds himself challenged. "It's very fast. Every time somebody dunks, by the time I take a picture, he's already done finished the dunk and he's already playing defense," he observed.
To improve, Okogie focuses on anticipating the play and positioning himself correctly. "I feel like the biggest improvement I have to make is adjusting to the speed of the game and not only anticipating, but also about being at the right angle to get the best picture," he said.
This summer, Okogie tested his burgeoning skills in Las Vegas, where he captured captivating shots during events such as the NBA Creator Cup celebrity game, the Los Angeles Lakers-Houston Rockets summer league game, and the Phoenix Suns vs. the Golden State Warriors matchup. His goal in photography is clear: to encapsulate the emotion behind moments. "Because you want the picture to replicate the feeling of the play for those who weren't there," he explained.
Learning from the Best
In his photographic endeavors, Okogie looks up to seasoned NBA photographers like David Sherman of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Barry Gossage of Phoenix. "That's my guy. He films the Wolves and he also films a lot of other NBA-sanctioned events. So I've always paid close attention to David," he noted.
When the NBA offseason arrives, Okogie plans to extend his photography pursuits by shooting WNBA games, further honing his craft and capturing the dynamism of professional basketball.
On-Court Ambitions and Team Aspirations
Off the court, Okogie remains deeply committed to his role with the Phoenix Suns. Recently signing a two-year, $16 million extension, he aims to bring his trademark energy to both sides of the floor. "My mentality is just to go out there and just try to give this team the energy that they need on both sides of the floor," he emphasized.
Okogie has high hopes for the Suns' future, particularly under new coach Mike Budenholzer's guidance. He predicts a fiercely competitive Western Conference season but remains optimistic about the Suns' potential. "We have a lot of talent on this team, but I want to be the battery of this team, if that makes sense. The motor of this team, to get people going, get people excited to play, get people moving," he stated.
His optimism is palpable as he considers the team's prospects. "The West is going to be really competitive next year. I feel like we can be as good as we want to be. I feel like our ceiling is as high as we make it. I'm excited. I feel like if we get a good training camp and we start to jell, the sky's the limit for us," Okogie concluded.
In balancing basketball and photography, Josh Okogie is exploring the full spectrum of his talents, both old and new. Whether anchoring the Suns’ defense or capturing the perfect shot through his lens, Okogie’s journey is one of dedication, passion, and an unyielding drive to improve.