No on macs you do not download photos to your computer thru iTunes. iPhoto automatically sees your phone as a camera and asks if you want to download the photo's. If you want to pit them back onto your phone THEN you sync the appropriate album thru iTunes.
On a PC, I think you plug your phone in then when it shows up on desktop you right click on it and the rest is self explanitory.
As far as sending multiple photos in an email. Go to photos. Choose an album. Then click on the swirly arrow on the bottom left hand corner. Pic the photos you want to send. The rest will be appearent.