how do i move my photos to my computer

Hello Meg Darnell,

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities!

Based on what you mentioned, you want to move your photos to your computer. For this concern, take a look at this document: Download iCloud photos and videos.

If you want to transfer images from a device, "See how to transfer photos and videos from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to your Mac or PC."

Best wishes!

Open finder , in iCloud section > iCloud Drive , right click in the column and create an untitled folder .

You must have set up photo library https://support.apple.com/en-in/HT204264 and it preferences https://support.apple.com/en-in/guide/photos/pht5156cc968/4.0/mac/10.14

Read this also https://support.apple.com/en-in/guide/photos/pht211de786/4.0/mac/10.14

Open photo application and select photos https://support.apple.com/en-in/guide/photos/pht40b0be510/4.0/mac/10.14

And export them to the folder created in finder https://support.apple.com/en-in/guide/photos/pht6e157c5f/mac