Hi Nancy welcome to the forums.
Transferring photos is primarily done through iTunes.
When you plug in your iPad and look under devices it will show Nancy's iPad. Click on it and the resulting box will show a list along the top from Summary to Photos.
Next click on photos and it will give you the choice of syncing all your photos or specific directories.
Just a suggestion but apples photo app is a little simple so it"s best to sort your photos into specific directories, like people, places, pets etc., before you begin, as it's impossible to do so after they are imported.
Once you're happy click sync and let iTunes do it's stuff.
Have fun and remember you can always remove them and try again without losing your photos or damaging the iPad.
