How do I get my photos from my iPad to my MacBook?

Which software versions do you have on your iPad and your MacBook?

You can use

• iCloud Photo Sharing to stream the photos to your MacBook, iCloud Photo Sharing FAQ - Apple Support
• use iCloud Photo Library, iCloud Photo Library FAQ - Apple Support
• or simply connect the iPad to a USB port of your Mac and download them to your Mac.

It will depend on the software versions you have what is possible.

Import them.

Use Photostreams

Use iCloud Library.

But more detailed questions get more detailed answers: include things like what version of the OS on your iPad and on your Mac, the version of iPhoto etc.

Do you mean not in the dock at the bottom of your screen?

Go to your Applications folder (or search with Spotlight) or use launchpad and launch iPhoto. When it's running it will be on the dock. While it's there right click on the icon and select 'keep in dock'.