How to transfer photos from Seagate storage device onto new laptop and have these photos copied and saved to remain on laptop after external device is removed from laptop

I am learning how to use new laptop and had connected Seagate external storage device in order to transfer my photos over to new laptop and have copies saved permanently on laptop to then edit pics and make a photobook etc. After selecting lots of photos and heaps of editing (saved each one), I removed Seagate device. Today, when turning laptop on all photos have been removed and nothing appears saved in the folder I created. None of the photos have been transferred or saved on my laptop!