i think i may see the probelm, i had an extra period in my initial example for this
change the img sorce code:
<img src="http://localhost/members/pictures/".<?php echo(isset($_SESSION['member_profilePic'])?$_SESSION['member_profilePic']:""); ?>" />
to:
<img src="http://localhost/members/pictures/<?php echo(isset($_SESSION['member_profilePic'])?$_SESSION['member_profilePic']:""); ?>" />