Meaning, Not Megapixels: The Why of Photography with Chris Weston

Meaning, Not Megapixels: The Why of Photography with Chris Weston is a reflective class that explores the deeper reasons behind photography, using the Hand, Eye, Heart framework as a way of working. In this session, you’ll consider what separates a photograph that stays with you from one that doesn’t, and how paying closer attention to your subject, your instincts, and your intentions can change the images you make.

The class moves through the three elements of the framework: Hand (craft, repetition, physical skill), Eye (perception, composition, timing), and Heart (intent, emotion, meaning). Rather than treating these as stages to pass through, the session explores how they exist in constant conversation and what happens when one dominates at the expense of the others. By the end of the class, you’ll have a clearer sense of what it means to photograph with intention and how to bring more care and connection to your practice.

This class includes a dedicated 30 minutes of Q&A directly with Chris Weston.

What You'll Learn

• Why photography is about attention and intention, not equipment.
• How to understand and apply the Hand, Eye, Heart framework to your own work.
• How imbalances between the three elements show up and what to do about them.
• Why intention changes a photograph, and how viewers feel it without being told.
• How to slow down, listen visually, and photograph with care rather than habit.

Who It's For

• Photographers at any level who feel their images are technically fine but somehow empty.
• Anyone who has been shooting for likes and wants to reconnect with why they started.
• Creatives curious about the philosophy and ethics behind the practice.
• Lightroom and Adobe users who want to think more deeply about what they’re making, not just how.
• Anyone ready to treat photography as a practice of attention rather than a pursuit of gear.

How to Join

• The class will be delivered via Zoom Webinars. You’ll need access to Zoom through a web browser or the Zoom app in order to participate.
• To reserve your spot, register using the Sign Up form and button above. Space is limited.
• A unique Zoom join link will be sent to the maximum number of participants per class. You’ll receive this link one hour before the class start time.

About the Instructor

Chris Weston became a professional wildlife photographer in 2001, changing his career to follow instead his passion for what he describes as “the extraordinary behaviour of animals.”

He has written over 20 books on photography, and his commercial credits include the BBC, ITV, The Times, The Sunday Times, Daily Telegraph, Independent, and Guardian newspapers; and Outdoor Photography, Practical Photography, Amateur Photographer, N-Photo, and Digital Photography magazines. He is an ambassador for Fujifilm and is a renowned speaker and teacher, leading multiple safaris, workshops, and seminars around the world.

He is currently represented by The Marylebone Gallery in London, and his fine art prints are collected by international private clients. In 2018, he won the ArtHaus Gallery and Manhattan Arts International awards.

His contemporary approach to photography led Amateur Photographer to describe him as “one of the most dynamic wildlife photographers working today.” A committed advocate for the environment, Chris was listed in Outdoor Photography as “One of the world’s 40 most-influential wildlife photographers.”