cannot import photo from iphone to mac iOS 18.1, 2024 this shouldn't be happening!

I have tried numerous times to unplug the phone from MacBook, restarted the MacBook and iPhone. no success with any of the troubleshooting tips to transfers photos from Photos on my iPhone 15 with 18.1 to MacBook with most recent update as of 01NOV on Sequoia 15.1. I have the time to organize my medias but this has halted everything!!! tips for this? Additionally the photos preview stop or freeze up after maybe 100-200 media slides, as you scroll down its just a blank thumbnail.