Josh Okogie: From On-Court Guardian to Courtside Photographer
Phoenix Suns guard Josh Okogie, renowned for his defensive skills and unwavering energy, has found a new passion off the court: photography. This summer, Okogie has been channeling his boundless enthusiasm into capturing moments through the lens of his camera.
Okogie's foray into the world of photography began during a vacation in Milan, Italy, coinciding with Fashion Week. It was there he picked up a Sony a7 III camera, on the encouragement of a friend, and decided to explore his skills in this new art form. "I'm still not good," Okogie admits candidly. "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."
Determined to master the craft, Okogie has been focusing on sports photography, an area where he feels both his professional experience and burgeoning hobby intersect perfectly. He has practiced capturing live basketball action, which he finds particularly challenging. "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."
Despite the steep learning curve, Okogie remains undeterred. "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." His goals in photography aren't just about technical prowess but also about capturing the essence of the moment. "Because you want the picture to replicate the feeling of the play for those who weren't there."
This summer, Okogie tested his skills in Las Vegas, capturing moments during the NBA Creator Cup celebrity game, the Los Angeles Lakers-Houston Rockets summer league game, and the Phoenix Suns vs. Golden State Warriors showdown. Each event provided a new opportunity to hone his craft and improve his understanding of the dynamics of sports photography.
Okogie draws inspiration from 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."
Interestingly, Okogie's journey into photography parallels his professional career's trajectory. Recently signing a two-year, $16 million extension with the Suns, he remains committed to being a vital contributor to his 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."
With a bustling Western Conference expected next year, Okogie is optimistic about the Suns’ 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 acknowledges the competitiveness of the conference, yet exudes confidence in his team’s capabilities. "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."
Additionally, Okogie plans to extend his photographic endeavors into the WNBA during the offseason, continually pushing himself to improve and capture more compelling images. Each day and every frame taken contribute to his growth, mirroring his development on the basketball court. "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."
Josh Okogie embodies a unique blend of athleticism and artistic curiosity, demonstrating how passions pursued off the court can enrich a player's experience and possibly even enhance their perspective on the game itself. Whether it's a slam dunk heard around the arena or a picture that conveys the raw emotion of a game, Okogie is determined to make every moment count—both in the frame and on the hardwood.