Josh Okogie, the Phoenix Suns' dynamic guard, is best known for his relentless defense and energy on the basketball court. However, this summer, Okogie has been channeling his passion into a different form of action – photography.
A New Passion
It all began with a Sony a7 III camera that Josh picked up while on vacation in Milan, Italy, during Fashion Week. Encouraged by a friend, Okogie decided to test his skills behind the lens, leading him to discover a burgeoning interest in 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 rapid learning curve.
Despite his progress, Okogie retains a humble perspective on his abilities. “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 admitted candidly. This willingness to learn and improve echoes the attributes that make him a valuable player on the basketball court.
Challenges Behind the Lens
Transitioning from player to photographer, Okogie has faced a new set of challenges. Capturing live action on the basketball court is no easy feat, as Okogie found out during his attempts to photograph games in Las Vegas, including the NBA Creator Cup celebrity game and summer league matchups such as the Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets and the Phoenix Suns vs. the Golden State Warriors.
“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 laughed. He recognizes that to improve, he needs to adjust to the speed of the game and find the right angles to get the perfect shot. “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.
Mentorship and Goals
Okogie looks up to seasoned photographers like David Sherman of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Barry Gossage of the Phoenix Suns. “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, expressing his admiration and respect.
His ultimate goal in photography transcends technical execution; it’s about conveying emotion. “Because you want the picture to replicate the feeling of the play for those who weren't there,” he said, capturing the essence of what he aims to achieve with his new hobby. Okogie plans to shoot WNBA games in the offseason, further honing his skills and expanding his portfolio.
Balancing Passions
Meanwhile, Okogie’s commitment to the Phoenix Suns remains steadfast. The guard recently signed a two-year, $16 million extension with the team, where his high energy and defensive skills are invaluable. “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. He is determined to be the "battery" 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.”
Looking Forward
With new coach Mike Budenholzer at the helm, Okogie has discussed his objectives for the upcoming season, recognizing 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,” he said with optimism. “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.”
As Okogie continues to develop his skills both on the court and behind the camera, Suns fans can look forward to seeing more of his unique blend of energy and passion, whether through his defensive plays or the emotional depth of his photographs.