Josh Okogie's New Passion: Capturing Moments Beyond the Court
Phoenix Suns guard Josh Okogie is renowned for his defensive prowess and boundless energy on the hardwood. This summer, however, he's been channeling that same passion into a fresh endeavor: photography.
Okogie's fascination with photography took root during a vacation in Milan, Italy, coinciding with Fashion Week. It all began when he picked up a Sony a7 III camera, encouraged by a friend to hone his newfound skills. What started as a leisurely interest quickly turned into a serious pursuit. Despite his attempts, Okogie is candid about his current 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 admits.
This summer saw Okogie practice his budding photography talent by capturing live basketball action. He recently photographed the NBA Creator Cup celebrity game, the Los Angeles Lakers-Houston Rockets summer league game, and the Phoenix Suns versus the Golden State Warriors game, all held in Las Vegas. Yet, Okogie recognizes the steep learning curve associated with sports photography. "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 explains.
For Okogie, the challenge lies in adapting to the swift pace of the game and finding that perfect angle to capture the essence of each play. "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 shares.
Influences and Aspirations
Guiding Okogie's journey are accomplished photographers David Sherman of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Barry Gossage of Phoenix. Okogie holds them in high esteem, noting Sherman's influence: "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."
Beyond the technical aspects, Okogie's ultimate goal in photography is to capture the emotion behind moments. "Because you want the picture to replicate the feeling of the play for those who weren't there," he says. He plans to extend his photographic endeavors into the WNBA offseason, seeking to broaden his portfolio and sharpen his skills further.
The Court and Beyond
Despite his off-court passion, Okogie's commitment to the Phoenix Suns remains unwavering. Having recently signed a two-year, $16 million extension, Okogie is enthusiastic about contributing his trademark energy on both ends of the floor. "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.
With the Suns' roster teeming with talent, Okogie envisions himself as the team's heart and soul. "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," affirms Okogie. He has already had discussions about his objectives with the newly appointed Suns coach Mike Budenholzer, expressing a strong belief in the potential of the team.
Looking Ahead
As the Western Conference looms ever more competitive, Okogie remains optimistic about the Suns' prospects. "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 reflects. His excitement is palpable as he anticipates a productive training camp that could see the team jell and reach new heights. "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," says Okogie.
In balancing his roles as a dynamic NBA guard and an aspiring photographer, Josh Okogie is redefining his narrative. Whether capturing the intensity of a basketball game through his lens or energizing his team with his on-court tenacity, Okogie continues to make a significant impact both on and off the court.