Josh Okogie: From Basketball to Photography
Phoenix Suns guard Josh Okogie has long been known for his tenacity and defensive skills on the basketball court. This summer, however, Okogie has channeled his passion into a different field: photography. A recent acquisition of a Sony a7 III camera during a vacation in Milan, Italy, coinciding with Fashion Week, sparked this newfound interest. Inspired by a friend's encouragement, Okogie has since dived headfirst into the art of capturing moments through a lens.
Despite his spirited efforts, Okogie humbly admits that the majority of his pictures are far from perfect. "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 shares. This self-awareness has not deterred him; instead, it has fueled his desire to improve incrementally.
Okogie has sought to merge his professional world with his new hobby by capturing live basketball action. His initial attempts provided a steep learning curve. "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 explains, highlighting the challenges of photographing a sport known for its rapid pace.
His determination has seen him snapping shots at several high-profile events, including the NBA Creator Cup celebrity game in Las Vegas, a summer league game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets, and his own Phoenix Suns facing off against the Golden State Warriors. Each opportunity has contributed to his gradual improvement.
Okogie reflects on this journey, noting, "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." He is particularly focused on honing his ability to adjust to the speed of the game and finding the optimal angles for his shots. "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 observes.
Okogie draws inspiration from seasoned photographers within the NBA community, 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 says, underscoring the value he places on learning from experienced professionals.
His ultimate goal in photography extends beyond technical prowess. "Because you want the picture to replicate the feeling of the play for those who weren't there," Okogie says, emphasizing the emotional resonance he aims to capture in his photos. This objective will lead him to new venues as he plans to shoot WNBA games during the NBA offseason.
Beyond his creative pursuits, Okogie's commitment to his basketball career remains unwavering. He recently signed a two-year, $16 million extension with the Phoenix Suns, reinforcing his role as a dynamic and energetic presence on the court. "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 asserts. He is determined to be the driving force for his team, saying, "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."
Okogie is optimistic about the Suns’ future under new coach Mike Budenholzer. He believes the Western Conference will be intensely competitive in the coming season, but sees significant potential in his team. "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 Josh Okogie balances his dual passions for basketball and photography, his dedication and enthusiasm are evident. Whether he is capturing moments of athletic brilliance or contributing to his team's success on the court, Okogie's efforts exemplify a tireless commitment to growth and excellence.