Emily McCubbin shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Emily, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
Getting outside with my wife, kiddo, and our pup! From sunrise hikes to quick weekend camping trips, disconnecting to reconnect is truly one of my favorite things to do.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My friends (yes, that means we’re buds now) call me Em! I’m a photographer, storyteller, and mom based in Southern California. I run Digital Darling Photo, where my focus is capturing life in a way that feels golden, glowy, and real. My work is all about the in-between moments. The way someone laughs mid-sentence, the way light hits skin, the quiet parts that end up meaning the most.
I started this brand because I wanted photos to feel less posed and more like a memory. I love creating spaces where people can just be themselves and forget there’s even a camera involved. Every story I document feels deeply personal, and that’s what keeps me inspired, getting to turn real moments into something timeless.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My dad and my older brother saw me clearly before I could ever see potential in myself. My dad has been my number one fan for as long as I can remember. He’s the kind of dad who never missed a recital, who showed up with flowers and the biggest smile, who made me feel like anything I created was worth celebrating. He’s the original artist in our family, in more ways than one. I think a lot of my creative spirit comes from him, the way he notices beauty in the small things, the way he creates just for the joy of it.
And my older brother has always had this quiet, grounding kind of belief in me. Even when I doubted myself or didn’t quite know who I was yet, he saw and accepted me for me. He’s the kind of person who doesn’t need to say much for you to feel understood, and that kind of steady support shaped a lot of who I am today.
They both saw parts of me I hadn’t learned to trust yet, the artist, the dreamer, the one who leads with heart.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I’d tell my younger self not to be afraid to be herself. Everyone’s a little weird, and that’s what makes life beautiful. You don’t have to try so hard to fit into spaces that were never meant for you.
I’d remind her that it’s okay to take up space, to have big dreams, and to be soft at the same time. The right people will love you for exactly who you are, not who you think you need to be. And even when it feels like you’re too much or not enough, you’re already everything you need to be.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
That we have to compete!! I think the photography industry sometimes makes people feel like there’s only room for a few, like success is limited or that someone else’s win takes away from yours. But the truth is, we all bring something completely different to the table. No one else can tell a story the way you do, because no one else is you!
When we stop seeing each other as competition and start seeing each other as community, everything shifts. We grow faster, we create better, and we actually enjoy what we do again. There’s so much power in collaboration and genuine support, that’s where the magic happens.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
Time is fleeting, and those ordinary moments of life end up meaning the most. The things we overlook, sunlight on a kitchen floor, laughter from the next room, a quiet drive home.. those are the memories that stay.
Maybe that’s why I love what I do so much. Photography has taught me that nothing lasts forever, but we can honor moments by paying attention to them. I think most people rush through life trying to get to the next big thing, but I’ve learned that the real magic is in the small stuff. That’s where love lives.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://digitaldarling.me
- Instagram: digitaldarlingphoto
- Facebook: digitaldarlingphoto
Image Credits
digitaldarlingphoto
