Import
Import is the first step in Lightroom Classic: you add your photos to the catalog so you can work with them. You choose the source (your card or a folder), decide where the files go and what they're named, and optionally add keywords and a preset right away. The photos themselves simply stay on your drive.
On import you choose between copy (from a card) or add (photos already on your drive). A fixed folder structure and naming up front saves you a lot of searching later. You can apply a develop preset, keywords and metadata to the whole series already at import. Tip: make an import preset with your standard naming, keywords and a backup to a second drive, then from now on you import safely and tidily with one click.
Related terms
Prefer a look in one click?
The presets on this site set these adjustments up for you as a starting point, which you then fine-tune to taste.