storing photos on an external hard drive?

[ac12]

Personally, I would go WIRED network connection from the laptop to the NAS. This is presuming that you have GigaBit network connections. 100 base-T/100MegaBit connection should be OK for working on single files.
Going wireless, your data transfer speed is based on the specific WiFi gear you are using, how far you are from the WiFi router, and anybody else using the same WiFi channel.

The placement of the WiFi router in your house, and where your computer is, is critical. Wall, floors, and other building stuff will attenuate/reduce the signal strength, and slow down the data transfer rate. I have 2 routers in my house, upstairs and downstairs, for that reason. There is so much signal loss that I cannot use the upstairs router when I am downstairs.