Transfer photos from iMac to ipad

I'm unable to transfer my photos from iMac iPhoto to my new iPad. My iPad uses 11.2.6 and iMac is macOS High Sierra. The iPhotos screen on my iPad shows nothing but "Albums" in the upper left hand corner and two boxes, "All Photos" and "Recently Deleted" with nothing in them. And in the middle of the screen "No items" with "Syncing" underneath in light grey. Nothing is happening. Both iTunes and iPhotos aren't showing any way to transport the photos. Very frustrating.