How can I transfer files images using wire?

I am looking at how I can transfer files/images from my iPhone to my MacBook Pro using the wire. When I connect my phone I can see it in the Finder but that only gives me the option to sync entire folders, however I only need to transfer some files over. This is very important for me because I use my phone for work and an incident happened where after a recent update AirDrop no longer asks me where I want to send the files and images and after touching the AirDrop icon just started to send some confidential information to my laptop and also to some friend's phone. So I really need to know how to transfer files and images to my laptop using the wire as I am permanently stopping using AirDrop. Thank you!