Josh Okogie's Summer of Basketball and Photography
Phoenix Suns guard Josh Okogie isn't just making waves on the basketball court; he's channeling his energy into an unexpected passion—photography. Renowned for his defensive skills and infectious energy on the hardwood, Okogie has found a new way to express himself off the court.
It all started during a vacation in Milan, Italy, where Okogie picked up a Sony a7 III camera. Encouraged by a friend to test his photography skills, he discovered a newfound love behind the 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. So it's been pretty cool," Okogie shared.
Though it's clear Okogie still considers himself a novice, he has shown a commendable dedication 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 admitted candidly. His honesty about the challenging learning curve lends an endearing touch to his off-season journey.
Okogie hasn't shied away from challenging environments either. He tested his skills at the NBA Creator Cup celebrity game in Las Vegas, capturing live action shots. He also documented the Los Angeles Lakers-Houston Rockets summer league game and the Phoenix Suns vs. Golden State Warriors matchup. Despite the fast-paced nature of basketball, he has remained undeterred. "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 remarked, highlighting the inherent difficulties of sports photography.
His primary goal is to capture the emotions behind the moments he witnesses. "Because you want the picture to replicate the feeling of the play for those who weren't there," Okogie explained. He knows that improvement requires more than just technical skills; it demands understanding the essence of the game and finding the right angle. "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 elaborated.
To refine his craft, Okogie looks up to 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," Okogie mentioned, acknowledging those who have paved the way in sports photography.
Not one to rest on his laurels, Okogie has ambitious plans for the offseason. He intends to cover WNBA games, adding another dimension to his burgeoning photography portfolio. His commitment to improving as a photographer mirrors his dedication on the basketball court. Okogie recently signed a two-year, $16 million extension with the Phoenix Suns, underlining his value to the team. "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, intent on being the motor that drives the team's engine.
With new Suns coach Mike Budenholzer at the helm, Okogie is optimistic about the future. He believes the Western Conference will be fiercely competitive next season, but he remains confident in the potential of the Suns. "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," Okogie expressed.
His positive outlook doesn't end there. Okogie is excited about the possibilities if the team has a productive training camp and can start to jell. "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 enthused.
Josh Okogie's journey from defensive ace to aspiring photographer showcases his multifaceted talents and relentless drive. Whether he's guarding the league's best players or capturing the perfect shot, Okogie brings the same passion and dedication to everything he does. As the new season approaches, fans can look forward to seeing how this energy translates both on the court and behind the camera.