Phoenix Suns guard Josh Okogie is widely recognized for his on-court defensive prowess and infectious energy. This summer, however, Okogie has channeled his boundless passion into an unexpected off-court pursuit: photography.
Discovering a New Passion
Okogie's newfound interest in photography began during a vacation to Milan, Italy, coinciding with Fashion Week. Armed with a Sony a7 III camera, Okogie was encouraged by a friend to test his skills behind the lens. What began as a casual exploration quickly evolved into a dedicated hobby.
"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. His journey into the world of photography has not been without challenges, particularly when it comes to capturing the fast-paced action of live basketball games.
Challenges and Improvement
Despite his athletic acumen, translating that skill into photography is no easy feat. Okogie candidly admits that a significant portion of his photos miss the mark. "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.
This summer in Las Vegas, Okogie put his budding skills to the test, capturing live action during the NBA Creator Cup celebrity game, the Los Angeles Lakers-Houston Rockets summer league game, and the Phoenix Suns vs. the Golden State Warriors game. It's an environment where the speed of the game presents a unique challenge for any photographer, let alone a novice.
"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," Okogie noted. He believes the biggest improvement he needs to make is adjusting to this speed and finding the right angle to capture the essence of the moments on the court.
Inspirations and Future Goals
Okogie looks up to experienced NBA photographers like David Sherman of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Barry Gossage of the Phoenix Suns. "That's my guy," Okogie said of Sherman. "He films the Wolves and he also films a lot of other NBA-sanctioned events. So I've always paid close attention to David."
Okogie's goal in photography is more than just capturing images; he wants to immortalize the emotion behind the moments. "Because you want the picture to replicate the feeling of the play for those who weren't there," he explained. With this objective in mind, he plans to shoot WNBA games during the offseason, further honing his craft.
Commitment to the Court
While his photography venture is a significant personal interest, Okogie's professional focus remains steadfastly on basketball. He recently signed a two-year, $16 million extension with the Phoenix Suns, reaffirming his commitment to the team. Okogie has had discussions with newly-appointed Suns coach Mike Budenholzer about his role and objectives for the upcoming season.
"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," Okogie stated. He aims to be the driving force behind the team’s effort and enthusiasm. "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."
High Hopes for the Season
Looking ahead, Okogie is optimistic about the Suns' potential in the highly competitive Western Conference. "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," he said. His excitement is palpable, hinging on a strong training camp and team chemistry. "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."
As Josh Okogie continues to develop his photography skills, his primary focus remains on contributing to the Phoenix Suns' success. Whether behind the camera or on the court, Okogie's commitment to improvement and excellence is unmistakable.