Change where photos and videos are stored on Mac
When you import photos and videos into Photos, they’re copied to the Photos library in the Pictures folder. To save storage space, you can store photos and videos outside the photo library (for example, on an external storage device) and still view them in Photos. Files stored outside your library are called referenced files.
Store imported files outside the Photo library
Go to the Photos app
on your Mac.Choose Photos > Settings, then click General.
Unselect the “Copy items to the Photos library” tick box.
Now, when you import photos or video, Photos leaves the files in their original location and accesses them as referenced files.
If you store files outside the Photos library, keep in mind that:
If you use iCloud Photos, photos and videos that are outside the Photos library aren’t stored in iCloud and won’t be accessible to any other Mac or device that uses iCloud Photos.
If you disconnect the device where the files are located, or move or rename the files in the Finder, Photos won’t be able to locate them.
Referenced files aren’t automatically backed up along with the rest of your files when you back up your photo library — you must back them up manually.
Find a referenced file in the Finder
Go to the Photos app
on your Mac.Select a referenced file, then choose File > Show Referenced File in Finder.
Copy referenced files into a photo library
You can copy referenced files into your photo library so they’re easier to back up and are automatically stored in iCloud if iCloud Photos is turned on.
Go to the Photos app
on your Mac.Select the files that you want to copy into the photo library, then choose File > Consolidate.
Click Copy.