Attaching a photo to a mail

When I want to attach a photograph to an email, I click the paperclip on the email and then locate the folder in which the photograph is located.

Mail will not allow me to open the folder in order to select the photograph I want to attach. Every time I click on the folder to open it, the entire folder is attached to the mail.

I will appreciate any help.

In the meantime I have to place the photograph on my desktop and attach it to the mail from the desktop.