Phoenix Suns guard Josh Okogie has channeled his on-court intensity into a surprising new passion: photography. Known for his defensive prowess and infectious energy, Okogie's summer was marked by a journey into the world of visual storytelling.
His interest in photography sparked during a vacation in Milan, Italy, notably during Fashion Week. Armed with a Sony a7 III camera, Okogie began capturing moments, initially at the encouragement of a friend. What started as a leisurely pursuit quickly became a dedicated hobby. "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 with a candid humility that highlights his unwavering drive for self-improvement.
Okogie endeavored to capture live basketball action, a challenging task even for seasoned photographers. His determination took him to Las Vegas, where he photographed the NBA Creator Cup celebrity game, the Los Angeles Lakers-Houston Rockets summer league game, and a summer showdown between the Phoenix Suns and the Golden State Warriors. The rapid pace of professional basketball presented a steep learning curve. "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 noted.
Adjusting to the speed of the game and finding the perfect angle top Okogie's list of areas for 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 said. Okogie keeps an eye on 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, underscoring the respect he holds for established professionals in the field.
Beyond technique, Okogie aims to capture the raw emotion behind every play, a goal that drives his photographic endeavors. "Because you want the picture to replicate the feeling of the play for those who weren't there," he explained.
Photography isn't the only area where Okogie is looking to make strides. The guard recently signed a two-year, $16 million extension with the Phoenix Suns and is fully committed to contributing his high-energy style 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 expressed. With a new head coach in Mike Budenholzer, Okogie has discussed his objectives and the team's potential. "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 Western Conference is expected to be highly competitive next season, but Okogie is 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," said Okogie.
This multifaceted passion for both basketball and photography uniquely positions Okogie to capture the heartfelt moments on and off the court. Whether through a lens or with his relentless performance, his contributions continue to inspire and energize those around him.