Phoenix Suns guard Josh Okogie has long been recognized for his tenacity and defensive ability on the basketball court. Known for his high energy and relentless hustle, Okogie has emerged as a key player for the Suns. Yet, this summer, he’s been channeling his passion into a different arena: photography.
Okogie’s interest in photography was sparked during a vacation in Milan, Italy, coinciding with Fashion Week. It was there he picked up a Sony a7 III camera, igniting a newfound pursuit. Encouraged by a friend to explore his skills behind the lens, Okogie embarked on a journey that combines his love for basketball with a burgeoning interest in capturing moments.
"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, reflecting on his self-taught progression in photography.
A Slow Start, But Steady Progress
Okogie’s initial foray into photography was far from perfect. He estimates that 90-95% of his pictures are not good. "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," Okogie admitted candidly.
However, incremental improvement is evident in his work. With a powerful tool like the Sony a7 III, Okogie has been honing his skills, learning to navigate settings and achieve proper white balance. His commitment to improvement is as tenacious as his play on the court.
Capturing the Fast Pace of the Game
One of the most challenging aspects for Okogie has been adapting to the speed of live basketball. Whether it’s the NBA Creator Cup celebrity game, summer league clashes between the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets, or his own Phoenix Suns facing off against the Golden State Warriors, the action moves fast.
"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," said Okogie, describing the difficulty of capturing split-second plays.
He recognizes that his biggest improvement area is anticipating the play and positioning himself at the right angle. "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 noted.
Learning from the Best
Josh Okogie looks up to seasoned photographers like David Sherman of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Barry Gossage of the Phoenix Suns. "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," Okogie said, expressing his admiration and respect for Sherman.
Okogie’s goal in photography is deeply rooted in capturing the emotion behind each moment. "Because you want the picture to replicate the feeling of the play for those who weren't there," he explained. It’s that dedication to authenticity and emotion that drives him to keep improving, despite his self-acknowledged amateur status.
Balancing Passions
While photography is a growing hobby, Okogie remains committed to his primary role on the basketball court. Recently signing a two-year, $16 million extension with the Phoenix Suns, he is poised to continue contributing his trademark energy and defensive skills.
"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. His enthusiasm for both his sport and his new hobby underscores a dual commitment to excellence.
"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.
Looking Ahead
With the offseason underway, Okogie plans to further refine his photographic skills by shooting WNBA games. His ultimate belief is that the Western Conference will be highly competitive next year, and he is optimistic about the potential of the Suns.
"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 said confidently.
In both photography and basketball, Josh Okogie is a testament to the power of passion and persistence. Whether he’s capturing a breathtaking dunk or making one happen on the court, his dedication shines through every endeavor.
