Josh Okogie's Dual Passion: Basketball and Photography
For Phoenix Suns guard Josh Okogie, the offseason has been about more than just honing his skills on the court. Known for his defensive prowess and unyielding energy, Okogie has turned his attention to a more artistic endeavor: photography.
Okogie's journey into photography began somewhat serendipitously. During a vacation in Milan, Italy, coinciding with Fashion Week, he picked up a Sony a7 III camera. Inspired and encouraged by a friend, he decided to explore this new medium.
“I’m still not good,” Okogie candidly confessed. “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.”
The learning curve has been steep, with Okogie navigating through the technical aspects of photography. He’s invested time in understanding camera settings, white balance, and other intricacies that contribute to a well-captured moment. “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 shared.
Challenges of Capturing Live Action
In Las Vegas, Okogie had the opportunity to put his newfound skills to the test during the NBA Creator Cup celebrity game, the Los Angeles Lakers-Houston Rockets summer league game, and the Phoenix Suns vs. Golden State Warriors matchup. However, capturing live basketball proved to be a formidable 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. The speed of the game and finding the perfect angle are areas he acknowledges need the most improvement. “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 noted.
Despite the challenges, Okogie remains undeterred and has drawn inspiration from seasoned photographers like 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,” he said with respect.
The Objective: Capturing Emotion
Okogie’s goal in photography transcends technical precision. He is driven by a desire to capture the raw emotion behind moments. “Because you want the picture to replicate the feeling of the play for those who weren't there,” he said. This objective mirrors his on-court intensity, where every play is filled with palpable emotion.
Looking ahead, Okogie plans to continue his photographic pursuits by capturing WNBA games during the offseason. It’s a testament to his growing passion and commitment to get better at his new craft.
Commitment to the Suns
On the basketball front, Okogie recently inked a two-year, $16 million extension with the Phoenix Suns. His dedication to the team remains unwavering, as he aims to inject 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 emphasized.
Okogie is optimistic about the Suns’ potential and the impact he can make as a motivator. “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 shared.
The upcoming season in the Western Conference is poised to be fiercely competitive. However, Okogie believes the Suns have the capability to rise to the occasion. “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 said, brimming with optimism.
Ultimately, Josh Okogie’s offseason pursuits, both on and off the court, reveal a multifaceted athlete driven by passion, dedication, and a relentless pursuit of improvement. Whether through his defensive plays or capturing heartfelt moments with his camera, Okogie continues to strive for excellence in every endeavor.