Where are emoticons on new, 16-inch macbook pro?

Not sure what macOS version you have. Your equipment line says "10.12" which cannot run on a "new" Macbook Pro.

I use the key combo shortcut COMMAND-CONTROL-SPACE BAR to bring up a floating emoji pallet:

If that does not work with your current macOS version, please see:

Use emoji and symbols on Mac - Apple Support

If it's a new MacBook Pro, you should have a "globe" key in the lower left corner of your keyboard. This will bring up the emoji pallet (an alternate way to what Allan Jones has suggested). Then just double click the emoji you want to add to whatever you're working on.