Getting Candid with Candid Life Photography’s Emily Pillsbury

“[I love] capturing little moments in time and giving them back to people.”
A 13-year-old ballerina at dusk in early November at Wayzata Depot.

Growing up, Atlanta native Emily Pillsbury had a passion for photography. So 11 years ago Pillsbury, now a Plymouth resident, encouraged by family and friends, pursued her dream and created Candid Life Photography. Since then Pillsbury has photographed corporations, sports teams, schools, graduation parties, families and senior portraits—almost everything but weddings.

Pillsbury says she tries to take pictures that “make your heart go thump.” Pillsbury does take traditional “sit-down-and- smile” photos as well, but believes the best pictures are ones that capture real emotions— the outtakes.

"My goal is to get people to laugh out loud and to have them leave thinking that was awesome and fun. [I love] capturing little moments in time and giving them back to people.” Pillsbury said.

Since Pillsbury doesn’t have a studio of her own, she travels around the metro area to shoot on location in clients’ homes or other agreed-upon locations. In February and March, Pillsbury says she looks for urban structures to shoot by, but says her favorite background  is when the apple trees blossom at the apple orchards in spring, saying it “looks like pink and white snow.”