The fields of North Texas

Originally from the Eastern Shore of Virginia, I grew up roaming the pine forests and beaches that line the Chesapeake Bay. I would spend all day taking in the deep beauty of the land; exploring, taking photos & imagining tales about the Native peoples who lived there before. It was the beginnings of connecting stories with imagery.

Today, I live in Austin, Texas with occasional jaunts to our 120 year old quirky farmhouse near the Oklahoma border. The house has a long history with artists and even had a brush with fame in the 80’s as being a filming location for the movie, Silkwood. We’re slowing bringing it back to life in hopes to host more artists in the future.

I shoot and write for publications and brands, merging words with images to honestly capture the nuances of each story I’m asked to tell. I’m available for travel assignments, book projects and campaign content creation.

Email to melinda@melindaortley.com to inquire.