Hi, and welcome to the Apple (user-to-user Community!
Re: "iPad Photos take up 10GB : I have iCloud Photos enabled and optimized storage but neither seems to help.
it’s taking up so much storage that I cannot update my iPad."
Apple support's article: Manage your photo and video storage - Apple Support
says:
If you need more storage on your device, you can transfer the photos and videos that you don't want to store in iCloud to your computer.
________________________________________________________________________________________________
We do not know which iPad version you have, or which iPadOS version is installed. The links below are for iPadOS16, yet you can choose earlier iPad OS versions at the top of articles for accurate info.
As storage is a problem, it is wise to make a back-up of your iPad's contents to ensure anything precious is kept. How to: Back up iPad - Apple Support
Some iPad models can easily keep excess photo and video files etc. available on an external storage device ... zip drive / external hard drive etc.
Eg: Connect external storage devices to iPad - Apple Support
Or: Transfer files between your iPad and computer with an external storage device - Apple Support
Apple support has an article online that may help you update:
If you need more space for an update on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support
More info. / support / contact:
iPad Support:
iPad - Official Apple Support
All the best :-)