Import Photos but not to iCloud

MacBook Pro with iOS Mojave

I take a lot of photos and would like to import photos (using a cord to my MacBook Pro) from my Canon PowerShot SX50 HS camera to a folder that is NOT backed up by iCloud. Then, as I cull them and choose the ones I want to save, I would add them to a folder that is backed up. I would also back up some to an external hard drive.

I have tried using the Import function, but it seems I can only import them to an iCloud folder.

I have also tried dragging and dropping--doesn't work. Copy and Paste are grayed out, so not an option.

Any help would be appreciated!