Unable to import my iphoto library into photos from an external hard drive

After I upgraded my IOS to Yosemite I was unable to use my iphoto library when asked which library to use because it said I don't have enough space on my Macbook Pro and needed at least 35 GB more. I performed a backup of my Macbook using time machine and now that I said create new library instead of selecting my iphoto library (since it wouldn't let me) it won't let me import my iphoto library. It also won't allow me to open iphotos since the upgarde. How do I get my pictures back?