Josh Okogie: From Defensive Maverick to Aspiring Photographer
Phoenix Suns guard Josh Okogie is widely celebrated for his defensive tenacity and boundless energy on the basketball court. This summer, however, Okogie has been channeling his passion into a surprising new endeavor: photography.
A New Passion Born in Milan
Okogie's interest in photography was kindled when he picked up a Sony a7 III camera while on vacation in Milan, Italy, during Fashion Week. Encouraged by a friend to explore his creative side, he began experimenting with capturing life through the lens.
“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 admitted candidly. "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.”
Court-Side Clicks and Challenges
His transition from player to photographer has not been without its challenges. Okogie tried his hand at capturing live basketball, an endeavor he discovered to be as demanding as playing the game itself. In Las Vegas, he captured live action during the NBA Creator Cup celebrity game, the Los Angeles Lakers-Houston Rockets summer league game, and the Phoenix Suns vs. Golden State Warriors game.
"It's very fast," he observed. “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 encapsulates the uphill battle Okogie faces in adjusting to the speed of the game. "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."
Respecting the Craft
As Okogie continues to hone his skills, he 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 noted, reflecting his respect for those who have mastered the art of capturing the game’s most electrifying moments.
Okogie's ultimate aim in photography is to capture the raw emotion behind each moment. "Because you want the picture to replicate the feeling of the play for those who weren't there," he explained.
Future Endeavors
Looking ahead, Okogie plans to shoot WNBA games during the offseason, further diversifying his portfolio and refining his craft. But as the new NBA season approaches, his primary focus remains with the Phoenix Suns.
Signed to a two-year, $16 million extension, Okogie is committed to bringing undying energy to 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 emphasized. "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."
High Hopes for the Suns
Looking at the upcoming season, Okogie believes the Western Conference is poised to be highly competitive. "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 boundless energy, defensive acumen, and newfound passion for photography, Josh Okogie is proving to be a multi-faceted athlete with a promising future both on and off the court. Whether he's capturing a split-second dunk or giving his all in a game, Okogie embodies the spirit of relentless pursuit in every endeavor he undertakes.