There are a lots of ways of transferring stuff.
I think if you start up iPhoto then plug in your iPad/iPhone your pictures will be imported.
iPhoto '11: Import your photos
There are lots of ways of moving files.
How to transfer photographs
http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201302
A simple and popular way to copy files and share files among your devices.
https://www.dropbox.com/
"Box lets you store all of your content online, so you can access, manage and share it from anywhere. Integrate Box with Google Apps and Salesforce and access Box on mobile devices" Rated the most secure cloud storage by SkyHigh Networks. You can buy a license to run box one of your servers.
https://www.box.com/
Using iTunes to transfer files:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4094?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US
Files Connect -- "Cloud Storage services like Dropbox, MobileMe iDisk, Google Docs/Picasa, Facebook photos, FTP, SFTP, WebDAV ... AFS (Apple File Shares) SMB (Windows shares) protocols"
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/files-connect/id404324302?mt=8
"Dukto is a simple application that allows you to share files between devices connected to the same (wireless) LAN network."
http://www.tidal.it/?page_id=309&lang=en
http://www.msec.it/blog/?page_id=11
You could look into Apple's airdrop.
"To share content with AirDrop, both people need one of these devices using iOS 7 or later, or a Mac with OS X Yosemite"
Use AirDrop to wirelessly share content - Apple Support