Josh Okogie: On the Court Defender, Off the Court Photographer
Phoenix Suns guard Josh Okogie is well-regarded in the NBA for his defensive prowess and unflagging energy on the court. However, this summer, Okogie has channeled his passion into a surprising new venture: photography.
A New Passion
Okogie’s interest in photography sparked during a vacation to Milan, Italy, coinciding with Fashion Week. There, he purchased a Sony a7 III camera and began testing his skills, initially encouraged by a friend who suggested he give photography a try.
With the camera in hand, Okogie set out to capture live basketball games, starting with the rapid-paced action of the NBA. His foray into photography hasn’t been without its challenges. “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,” Okogie admits. Despite the steep learning curve, he remains undeterred and focused on improvement.
Learning the Craft
Understanding the technical aspects of photography has been one of Okogie’s main hurdles. He acknowledges the complexity of settings, white balance, and other factors critical to capturing quality images. “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 explains.
Photographing high-speed basketball games has been a particularly tough challenge for Okogie, requiring quick reflexes and an ability to anticipate the action. “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 says, underscoring the difficulties of keeping up with the speed of the game.
Okogie believes the biggest improvement he needs to make is adjusting to the pace of play and finding the right angles to get the best shots. “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 notes.
Seeking Inspiration
In his journey to become a better photographer, Okogie has drawn inspiration from experienced professionals. He speaks highly of David Sherman of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Barry Gossage of Phoenix, both seasoned photographers whom he respects. “That's my guy,” Okogie says of Sherman. “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's ultimate goal in photography is to capture the raw emotion behind pivotal moments in sports. “Because you want the picture to replicate the feeling of the play for those who weren't there,” he asserts, highlighting his desire to convey the intensity and emotions of the game through his lens.
Future Plans
Okogie plans to extend his photography endeavors by shooting WNBA games during the offseason, providing him with additional opportunities to refine his skills and broaden his portfolio.
Balancing Passion and Profession
Off the court, Okogie has more than just photography on his mind. The guard recently signed a two-year, $16 million extension with the Phoenix Suns, reinforcing his commitment to contributing energy on both sides 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 says.
He has already discussed his objectives with the Suns' new head coach, Mike Budenholzer, emphasizing his role as a catalyst for 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,” says Okogie.
Optimism for the Future
Looking ahead, Okogie acknowledges the challenges awaiting the Suns in the competitive Western Conference. He remains optimistic about the team's potential. “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 affirms.
Whether behind the camera or on the hardwood, Josh Okogie's pursuit of excellence continues to drive him. His tenacity and dedication ensure that he remains a vital part of the Suns' ambitions while also making a name for himself in the world of sports photography.