Josh Okogie, the Phoenix Suns guard celebrated for his defensive prowess and infectious energy on the court, has discovered a burgeoning passion off the hardwood: photography.
This summer, Okogie aimed his focus at a new challenge, trading in basketballs for a Sony a7 III camera he picked up during a vacation in Milan, Italy, during Fashion Week. Encouraged by a friend to test his skills, Okogie quickly found himself captivated by the art of capturing moments through a 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,” Okogie mentioned. “So it’s been pretty cool.”
A Struggle Worth Pursuing
Despite his enthusiasm, the transition from athlete to photographer has been far from effortless. Okogie candidly 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.” His self-assessment underscores the patience and diligence required in mastering any new craft, especially one as intricate as photography.
His initial endeavors included capturing live basketball events, where the fast pace presented unique challenges. Reflecting on the experience, he said, “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.” This insight highlights the difficulty of blending his basketball knowledge with his burgeoning photographic skills.
Learning from the Best
To improve, Okogie has looked up to seasoned photographers within the NBA community, such as 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,” Okogie noted, underscoring the importance of mentorship in his new pursuit.
He has also taken advantage of high-profile events to hone his craft, capturing live action during the NBA Creator Cup celebrity game, the Los Angeles Lakers-Houston Rockets summer league game, and the Phoenix Suns vs. the Golden State Warriors showdown in Las Vegas. Each outing presented invaluable learning opportunities, and Okogie believes the biggest improvement he needs 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.”
Capturing Emotion
For Okogie, the goal of his photography transcends merely capturing crisp images; it’s about conveying the emotion behind each moment. “Because you want the picture to replicate the feeling of the play for those who weren’t there,” he explains. His dedication to this artistic principle reveals a depth of understanding and an ambition to create photos that resonate emotionally with viewers.
As part of his growth, he plans to shift his lens toward WNBA games during the offseason, broadening his experience and capturing a different facet of professional basketball.
Commitment to the Court
Despite his budding interest in photography, Okogie remains firmly committed to his primary profession: basketball. He recently signed a two-year, $16 million extension with the Phoenix Suns and has expressed his determination to be a vital contributor 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 stated. With the Suns boasting considerable talent, Okogie aims to be the “battery” and “motor” that propels the team forward. “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.”
Season Expectations
Looking ahead, Okogie acknowledges the competitive nature of the Western Conference but 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. 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.”
With his passion for photography complementing his unwavering commitment to basketball, Josh Okogie embodies the spirit of an athlete who strives for excellence both on and off the court. As he continues to evolve in both arenas, his journey will undoubtedly be one to watch.