air dropped items can't be found

dropped some photos from my phone to the laptop and they are not in photos - they are not in the desktop photos - cant find them - frustrating to say the least - have sent documents to my iMac and MBP and the same issue - no idea where they are going - must do one at a time and know the name to find it - better to send it in a text and then drop it where you want it!!!! Please explain how this is supposed to work!