Phoenix Suns guard Josh Okogie, widely recognized for his defensive grit and relentless energy on the basketball court, has found a new passion off the hardwood this summer: photography.
Okogie’s newfound interest in photography ignited during a vacation to Milan, Italy, timed perfectly with Fashion Week. Armed with a Sony a7 III camera and a nudge from a friend to test his photographic skills, Okogie dove headfirst into capturing the world through his lens. Although he admits that about 90-95% of his pictures are subpar, he feels he's improving incrementally with each shot.
"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 candidly shared. He has been experimenting meticulously with camera settings, including white balance, continually learning the mechanics 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," he noted. However, photographing live action, especially at the pace of an NBA game, has presented its own unique challenges.
While in Las Vegas, Okogie used the opportunity to capture live action during key basketball events like the NBA Creator Cup celebrity game, the Los Angeles Lakers-Houston Rockets summer league game, and the Phoenix Suns versus the Golden State Warriors matchup. Despite the challenges, his enthusiasm for the craft remains undiminished. "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 humorously recounted.
A New Perspective on the Game
Okogie believes that his most significant area for improvement lies in adjusting to the game's speed and identifying the optimal angles for the perfect shot. "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.
Turning the lens on his profession, Okogie aims to capture the emotion behind key moments, making each photograph a testament to the intensity and drama of the game. "Because you want the picture to replicate the feeling of the play for those who weren't there," he asserted.
His respect for seasoned photographers like David Sherman of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Barry Gossage of Phoenix shines through in his remarks. "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, highlighting his admiration for the professionals who have mastered the craft.
Balancing Basketball and Photography
Although photography has been a rewarding hobby during the offseason, Okogie's commitment to his primary craft—basketball—remains unwavering. The guard recently inked a two-year, $16 million extension with the Phoenix Suns, underscoring his value to the team. He has had discussions with new Suns coach Mike Budenholzer and is excited about the upcoming season.
"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, emphasizing his role as a catalyst for the Suns' on-court dynamism. "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.
High Hopes for the Seasons Ahead
As the NBA landscape evolves, Okogie is acutely aware of the competitive nature of the 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. 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 optimistically projected.
In addition to his NBA endeavors, Okogie plans to extend his photographic pursuits into the WNBA during the offseason, further honing his skills behind the lens. As he continues to balance his dual passions of professional basketball and photography, Josh Okogie serves as a dynamic example of how athletes can excel both on and off the court.