How can I use my passport for a Mac for a place to store and work on photos?

I’ve recently updated from a 2011 iMac 512gb to a 2020 Mac mini M1 256gb and inadvertently moved to a smaller SSD internal storage. I have purchased two WD passport for Mac to use as a time machine backup and for what I think it’s called working storage.
What I am wondering was if I could partition the drive in such a way that I could keep a time machine backup of my mac (smaller partition) and use the remaining larger partition for my working photo, and video.
I read that people can keep all of the photos in a external drive and yet use all of the iPhoto features. Does anyone do this and or where can I find more information on doing something like this?

Hello,

We recommend you kindly check with the Apple support to address your concerns.