From the Hardwood to Behind the Lens: Josh Okogie's Summer of Photography
Phoenix Suns guard Josh Okogie has carved out a reputation in the NBA not just for his relentless defense and boundless energy on the court, but recently, he has ventured into a field far removed from basketball's hardwood: photography.
This summer, Okogie has been channeling his passion into the world of photography, a hobby that began when he picked up a Sony a7 III camera while on vacation in Milan, Italy, during Fashion Week. Encouraged by a friend to put his skills to the test, Okogie embarked on a journey that has proved as challenging as it has rewarding.
Learning the Craft
Though his expertise lies in basketball, Okogie quickly embraced the complexities of photography. "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 learning curve. Despite his enthusiasm, he candidly acknowledges the difficulty of his new hobby. "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."
One of the significant challenges Okogie faces is adjusting to the speed of the game—a familiar yet entirely different scenario from his role as a guard. "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. "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."
Capturing Basketball Moments
Okogie's burgeoning interest saw him capturing live basketball actions, including the NBA Creator Cup celebrity game, the Los Angeles Lakers-Houston Rockets summer league game, and a heated clash between his own Phoenix Suns and the Golden State Warriors. Despite the steep learning curve, Okogie remains determined to hone his skills, inspired by seasoned photographers 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," said Okogie.
His ultimate goal in photography, however, is not just to capture the action, but to encapsulate the emotions behind those moments. "Because you want the picture to replicate the feeling of the play for those who weren’t there," Okogie emphasizes.
Looking ahead, Okogie plans to further his skills by shooting WNBA games during the offseason, an endeavor that aligns with his aim to capture the intensity and emotions of professional basketball games.
Commitment to the Suns and Future Aspirations
While Okogie is developing his photography skills, his commitment to basketball remains unwavering. Fresh off signing a two-year, $16 million extension with the Phoenix Suns, Okogie is focused on bringing his indefatigable energy to both ends of 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.
Having discussed his objectives with new Suns coach Mike Budenholzer, Okogie is optimistic about the team's potential in the fiercely competitive 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," Okogie says. "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’s dual commitment to his growing passion for photography and his professional responsibilities on the court showcases a multidimensional athlete eager to explore new talents while still striving for excellence in his primary career. With such dedication and a relentless drive to improve, both his photographs and his gameplay promise to offer vivid portrayals of the emotions and intensity that define basketball.