Welcome!
Welcome to Melinda Tuttle Photography.
I am located in Elma, Washington which is west of Olympia on your way to Ocean Shores.
I am Lifestyle Portrait Photographer who's style is modern and creative. I love to catch people and children in the "moment".
I love working with natural lighting whether that is outdoors at a local park or window lighting. I love taking images of Seniors, Newborns, Children, Maternity, Engagement, Boudoir, and Families. If you live in the area and are interested in a portrait session, please contact me for availability. I look forward to hearing from you.
360-480-7248
360-482-2214
Where?
Outdoor:
We can schedule an outdoor session at a local park, my family's private property or a location of choice. If the location is more than 30 miles from Elma an additional fee of $25 will be charged.
Ideas for outdoor sessions: Satsop Bulb Farm in the Spring, Parks with Playgrounds, Tumwater Falls Park, Priest Point Park, Shafer State Park, or The Beach, or even your backyard. My family owns a remote piece of property with a meadow of grass and wooded trails that would also make a good backdrop for portraits.
What Times Are Best?
Outdoor:
The best times to take images outside are close to sunrise and sunset, the light is dreamy and amazing. The shadows are also less prominent during these times. In the summer I can schedule as late as 7:30pm and still have good light. On hazy grey days I can shoot at pretty much any time of the day.
What Happens During The Session?
Family Session:
At the session date I will take images your child or family for about an 45 minutes to an hour (longer for newborns) either at an outdoor location. You can bring an extra change of clothing if you would like. I will first do a couple posed shots and then I will just ask you to act naturally or have the family do something together and take images of you in action. These seem to come out very pleasing because no one is forced to do anything.
Newborns:
Newborn sessions tend to be a bit longer than normal sessions. I will allow up to three hours for a newborn session. This time is usually needed for diaper changes, feeding, and cuddling. I love taking images of newborns curled up sleeping in as little clothing as possible. I have found that the least amount of moving their little bodies the better for this type of photography. I would ask that the clothing that the newborn comes to the shoot in be easily taken off without waking the baby. It maybe easiest to bring the baby in just a diaper wrapped up in lots of blankets, or a shirt that does not have to go over it's head.
Bring with you any headbands, hats, wraps, blankets, toys, etc. that you think would add to an image with your child.
Please check out my baby and child section on the home page of my website to see the style of images I like to take.
Seniors:
Bring as many changes of clothing as you like along with anything that expresses your personality such as a snowboard, soccer ball, cheer leading outfit, etc. We will go with your style and personality when taking these images. I do have multiple areas in Elma I like to use so we may be traveling around town.
Be prepared to get down and dirty. Don't wear anything that you would be afraid to ruin. I sometimes have you leaning on trees, laying in grass, sitting next to a wall on a sidewalk, etc.
How To Dress
Newborns:
For newborns clothing that is easily changed is best. Bring a cute blanket or wrap if you would like also.
Family:
Trendy outfits and colors that compliment each other are lots of fun. Being matchy-matchy isn't as nice as looking cute and fashionable. If we are doing an outdoor shoot be aware that I may ask you to sit in grass or on the ground. Dress in something that you won't be upset getting a little dirty. Jewel tones are great colors for outdoor shoots. Also please try not to wear clothing with large logos, glasses which can cause glare, and baseball hats which cast a shadow on the eyes and hat-hair.
Children:
I love a little girl in a Tutu or frilly dress.
Little boys in coveralls are always cute too!
If we are outdoors they may fall and get their nice clothes dirty. Keep this in mind when choosing attire for the photo shoot.
Seniors:
A casual outfit, a nice outfit, an outfit that your mom would love to see you in. An outfit that expresses your personality (sporty, outdoors, trendy, urban, etc.)
Bring any props that you would like too. We will be in contact about this.
When will I get to see the Proofs?
After the shoot, I will review the images and enhance many of them. I like to give each image a little "pop" and then I take it a little further with other images by changing them to black and white, sepia, etc. It will take one to three weeks to finish enhancing your images. Please let me know at the session date what style of prints you like. For example do you like black and white images, images with color that "pops", vintage look, or images that are very subtle and soft? I will use my creative eye to edit in a way that I think you will be pleased.
I will contact you when your images are ready for viewing.
How Will I Purchase My Images ?
Once you have chosen the images you would like to purchase it will take about a week to receive basic prints. Expect more time for larger prints or gallery wraps from the date ordered. Prints ordered through me will come to my home. I will look at the prints when they come to make sure they are correct and then contact you to come pick them up or I can ship them for a $6 fee. Prints ordered through the gallery will ship directly to you.