In the world of professional basketball, Phoenix Suns guard Josh Okogie has carved a niche for himself with his defensive prowess and infectious energy on the court. Yet, this summer, Okogie has taken on a new passion: photography. The budding photographer's journey began when he purchased a Sony a7 III camera while on vacation in Milan during Fashion Week. Encouraged by a friend, Okogie decided to test his skills, and his photographic journey has been a blend of challenges and small triumphs.
A New Passion
"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 candidly admits. The demanding nature of sports photography, especially capturing the dynamics of live basketball, has presented a steep learning curve for him. "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."
Learning the Craft
Nevertheless, the young guard remains undeterred. "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 says, reflecting on his photographic education. His commitment to improvement is evident. In Las Vegas, Okogie snapped photos during the NBA Creator Cup celebrity game, the Los Angeles Lakers-Houston Rockets summer league game, and the Phoenix Suns vs. the Golden State Warriors game.
Challenges and Mentorship
Despite the progress, Okogie acknowledges the primary hurdle he needs to overcome. "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. His inspiration comes from seasoned photographers like David Sherman of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Barry Gossage who has been a fixture in the Phoenix Suns’ photography scene. "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."
The Goal
For Okogie, photography is not just about capturing moments but encapsulating the emotions behind them. "Because you want the picture to replicate the feeling of the play for those who weren't there," he says, summarizing his ultimate objective. To further hone his skills, he plans to photograph WNBA games during the offseason.
On the Court
While Okogie immerses himself in his off-court hobby, his commitment to the Suns remains unwavering. Recently, Okogie signed a two-year, $16 million extension with Phoenix and has discussed his objectives with the Suns' new coach, Mike Budenholzer. "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," Okogie asserts. He sees himself as the team's catalyst. "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."
Looking Forward
Okogie is acutely aware of the competitive nature of the Western Conference. "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."
As Josh Okogie continues to develop both his on-court and off-court skills, his story serves as an inspiration. Balancing professional athletics with a newfound passion, he exemplifies the spirit of continuous growth and exploration. Whether it's through a lens or a basketball court, Okogie's journey is a testament to his relentless pursuit of excellence and his willingness to embrace challenges head-on.