[mumbo_rmj]

Step 1 - login to iCloud.com > request privacy manual download; use multiple links to download all old/prior photos locally, use immich or DigiKam if you don’t like file explorer

Step 2 - use iCloudPD to auto download photos from iCloud in the future

[rhoopr]

Unfortunately, icloudpd is now unmaintained -- alternatives are around, though

[e40]

Or make a local backup from your phone.