Phoenix Suns guard Josh Okogie has long been admired for his defensive prowess and boundless energy on the court, qualities that have made him an invaluable asset to his team. This summer, Okogie added a new layer to his multifaceted personality by channeling his passion into the world of photography.
Okogie's foray into photography began during a vacation in Milan, Italy, coinciding with Fashion Week. Armed with a Sony a7 III camera and encouraged by a friend to test his skills, he began capturing the essence of the vibrant city.
"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 remarked, reflecting on the early days of his photography journey.
Learning the Craft
While Okogie is quick to admit that he is still honing his skills, he has made noticeable improvements with each click of the shutter. "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 candidly shared.
The dynamic nature of Okogie's basketball career has provided him unique opportunities to blend his two passions. Notably, he captured live action during the NBA Creator Cup celebrity game, as well as summer league matchups involving the Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns, and Golden State Warriors.
However, Okogie quickly realized that translating his on-court agility into capturing fast-paced sports imagery was no small feat. "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.
Respect for the Craft
Respecting the learning curve, Okogie acknowledges that he needs to work on adjusting to the speed of the game and finding the optimal angles to capture the most compelling 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 explained.
In his quest to perfect his craft, Okogie looks up to seasoned 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," Okogie commented, highlighting his admiration for these professionals.
Okogie aspires to capture the emotion behind every moment, aiming to evoke the same feelings in those who view his photographs. "Because you want the picture to replicate the feeling of the play for those who weren't there," he said, encapsulating his ultimate goal in this artistic endeavor.
Balancing Passions
In addition to his photography pursuits, Okogie remains focused on his primary role with the Phoenix Suns. Recently signing a two-year, $16 million extension, he is committed to bringing his signature energy on both ends 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," Okogie emphasized.
Harnessing the talent within the Suns’ roster, Okogie aims to be the catalyst that drives his team forward. "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 said, illustrating his vision.
Looking Ahead
As Okogie and the Suns prepare for the highly competitive Western Conference, he believes the team's potential is bound only by their collective ambition and readiness to gel. "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," he asserted.
With the upcoming season on the horizon, Okogie also plans to extend his photography projects to WNBA games, providing another platform to refine his skills and capture the intensity of live sports.
Through balancing his blossoming photography interest with his professional basketball career, Josh Okogie exemplifies the multifaceted nature of today’s athletes - excelling on and off the court.