Josh Okogie: From the Court to the Camera Lens
Phoenix Suns guard Josh Okogie has carved out a reputation as a high-energy defender on the basketball court, but this summer, he has found a new passion off the hardwood. With the recent purchase of a Sony a7 III camera during a vacation in Milan, Italy, Okogie has been channeling his intense focus into the world of photography.
Discovering a New Passion
While attending Fashion Week in Milan, Okogie decided to explore photography, encouraged by a friend who suggested he test his skills behind the lens. The learning curve has been steep. "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 reflected candidly. His early attempts to capture live basketball moments have taught him the intricacies of adjusting settings, manipulating white balance, and understanding the speed of the game.
Okogie’s determination to capture the perfect shot has taken him to several high-profile events. In Las Vegas, he documented live action during the NBA Creator Cup celebrity game, the Los Angeles Lakers-Houston Rockets summer league game, and a showdown between his own Phoenix Suns and the Golden State Warriors. Despite the challenges, Okogie is undeterred, acknowledging, "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."
In Pursuit of Perfection
The Suns guard is laser-focused on improving his skills, particularly his ability to anticipate the action and find the right angles. "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. To Okogie, photography is about more than just snapping shots; it's about capturing the emotion and essence of the moment. "Because you want the picture to replicate the feeling of the play for those who weren't there," he added.
Okogie looks up to seasoned veterans in the field such as 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 revealed, showing his respect for experienced photographers.
Balancing Basketball and Photography
While Okogie has developed this newfound passion, he remains wholly committed to his primary profession. Recently, he inked a two-year, $16 million extension with the Phoenix Suns, pledging to continue bringing energy on both ends of the court. Okogie has had extensive discussions with new Suns coach Mike Budenholzer about his objectives and the team’s future.
"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 said. Okogie envisions himself as the "battery" or "motor" of the team, aiming to excite and motivate his teammates. With a competitive Western Conference on the horizon, Okogie expressed his optimism about the Suns' potential. "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 enthused.
Looking ahead, Okogie plans to continue blending his dual interests. He has aspirations to shoot WNBA games during the offseason and capture more unforgettable moments with his camera. As he evolves both as a player and photographer, Josh Okogie’s journey reflects a relentless pursuit of excellence, whether on the court or behind the lens.