Josh Okogie, renowned for his defensive prowess and infectious energy on the court, is now channeling his passion into a different field this summer: photography. The Phoenix Suns guard shared insights about how he discovered his new interest and the journey he's embarked on to improve his skills behind the lens.
A Newfound Passion
Okogie's interest in photography emerged during a vacation in Milan, Italy, when he attended Fashion Week. He picked up a Sony a7 III camera and began exploring the art of capturing moments. Encouraged by a friend to test his skills, Okogie took his camera to basketball games to try his hand at photographing live action.
Despite his relentless effort, Okogie admits that photography is not as easy as it seems. "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 said candidly. Learning the intricate settings of the camera, such as white balance and other technical aspects, has been part of the journey for him. "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."
Capturing the Game
When it comes to action shots, Okogie finds the speed of the game to be the most challenging aspect. "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 explained. This has pushed him to work on anticipating the moments before they happen and positioning himself at the right angle to get the best shot. "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."
His efforts to improve have taken him to various venues, including Las Vegas, where he captured 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. Through these experiences, he hopes to become more adept in his new hobby.
Okogie looks up to seasoned photographers like David Sherman of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Barry Gossage of the Phoenix Suns for inspiration and guidance. "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."
A Vision Beyond Photography
For Okogie, photography is about more than just clicking the shutter; it's about capturing 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. His goal is to perfect his ability to convey the intensity and passion of the game to those who view his photos.
Looking ahead, Okogie plans to extend his photography pursuits to WNBA games during the offseason. This is part of his broader ambition to continue growing as a photographer while balancing his professional basketball career.
On the Court
Okogie's commitment to the Phoenix Suns remains unwavering. Having recently signed a two-year, $16 million extension with the team, he looks forward to contributing his trademark energy to both sides of the floor under the guidance of new Suns coach Mike Budenholzer. "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 said, emphasizing his role in invigorating the team.
"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 added. Okogie is optimistic about the Suns' prospects next season, despite the anticipated fierce competition in the 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. 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 Okogie continues to develop his photography skills and gears up for the upcoming NBA season, his dual passions for basketball and capturing the essence of the game through his lens are sure to bring a unique perspective to both his hobbies and professional endeavors.