Phoenix Suns guard Josh Okogie has built a reputation on his defensive prowess and relentless energy on the court. This summer, however, he’s channeling some of that passion into a new off-court pursuit: photography.
A New Hobby in Milan
Okogie's journey into the world of photography began during a vacation in Milan, Italy, coinciding with Fashion Week. It was there that he picked up a Sony a7 III camera, inspired by a friend to test his skills behind the lens. "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.
Despite his nascent enthusiasm, the transition hasn't been entirely smooth. Okogie admits, "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."
Capturing the Game
Testing his fledgling skills, Okogie turned his lens towards live basketball, a subject close to his heart. In Las Vegas, he captured the NBA Creator Cup celebrity game, the Los Angeles Lakers-Houston Rockets summer league game, and a matchup between his own Phoenix Suns and the Golden State Warriors.
The fast pace of basketball, however, poses a significant challenge. "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 explained. Significant adjustments are required, with Okogie acknowledging, "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."
Learning from the Best
Part of Okogie's learning curve involves studying seasoned photographers whom he respects. He highlights David Sherman of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Barry Gossage of Phoenix as influential figures in his development. "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 noted.
His ultimate goal is to capture the depth of emotion in each moment. "Because you want the picture to replicate the feeling of the play for those who weren't there," he emphasized. To this end, Okogie plans to expand his portfolio by shooting WNBA games during the offseason.
Commitment on the Court
While Okogie explores photography, his focus on basketball remains unwavering. Recently signing a two-year, $16 million extension with the Phoenix Suns, he is committed to contributing energy on both offense and defense. "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 said.
With new Suns coach Mike Budenholzer at the helm, Okogie has discussed his objectives and the potential of the team. "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 stated.
The Road Ahead
Looking forward to the next season, Okogie is optimistic but realistic about the challenges ahead. "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," he asserted. He remains confident that with a productive training camp and strong team chemistry, the Phoenix Suns have the potential for a standout season. "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 remarked.
As Josh Okogie juggles his time between the court and his new passion for photography, both pursuits seem to fuel his relentless drive and enthusiasm. Only time will tell what heights he will reach in each field, but one thing is clear: Josh Okogie is determined to leave his mark, both in the frame and out on the hardwood.