Josh Okogie: From Defensive Specialist to Aspiring Photographer
Phoenix Suns guard Josh Okogie is well-known for his defensive prowess and relentless energy on the basketball court. This summer, however, Okogie has found a new passion off the hardwood: photography. It's not often that professional athletes channel their intensity into such a distinct artistic field, but Okogie is doing just that with a fresh perspective and enthusiasm.
Okogie's journey into photography began serendipitously during a vacation in Milan, Italy, where he attended Fashion Week. Armed with a Sony a7 III camera, he started experimenting with capturing moments that piqued his interest. His foray into the world of photography was not an isolated endeavor; it was encouraged by a friend who urged him to test his skills behind the lens.
Though Okogie admits that his photography is still a work in progress, he has been dedicated to improving his craft. "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 candidly shared. The athlete has found that understanding the intricacies of the camera's settings, including white balance, has been both challenging and fascinating. "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 added.
One of the most significant challenges Okogie faces in photography is adapting to the speed of live sports. "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 explained. This rapid pace has pushed Okogie to work on anticipating moments and positioning himself to capture the best angles. "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," Okogie reflected.
Okogie's dedication to honing his photography skills has seen him documenting live basketball events, including the NBA Creator Cup celebrity game in Las Vegas and summer league games featuring teams like the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets. His precise focus during these moments illustrates his commitment to capturing the emotion and energy of live sports.
Okogie also draws inspiration from experienced photographers within the NBA community, notably 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 with admiration.
While his love for photography might seem like a diversion, it's clear that Okogie's approach to both his crafts shares a common goal: to convey emotion. "Because you want the picture to replicate the feeling of the play for those who weren't there," he stated. His goal of encapsulating the essence of pivotal moments in sports reflects the same intensity he brings to the basketball court.
Okogie’s photography journey aligns well with his recent professional developments. The guard recently signed a lucrative two-year, $16 million extension with the Phoenix Suns, underlining his value to the team. He promises to continue contributing energy and effort on both sides of the floor, discussing his objectives with new Suns coach Mike Budenholzer. "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 asserted.
As the Suns prepare for a highly competitive Western Conference next season, Okogie envisions a promising future for the team. "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," he said. The key, according to Okogie, lies in having a productive training camp and building team chemistry early on. "If we get a good training camp and we start to jell, the sky's the limit for us," he concluded.
Josh Okogie’s pursuit of photography, coupled with his drive to excel on the court, paints a portrait of a dynamic individual eager to capture and create memorable moments in both arenas of his life. As he continues to refine his skills behind the lens, we'll undoubtedly see more of his unique perspective, both in photos and in the fervent plays he makes for the Phoenix Suns.