Download Moto Cell Phone image files

I have a Verizon Moto cell phone and want to download the pictures to my MacBook Pro Catalina 10.15.4. I can't get the MacBook to 'see' the phone when plugged in via mini-USB on any of the 3 USB ports. Yes, I do set the phone to "transferring files." I do not want to use iPhoto, because I like to access the image files themselves.