how do I set my iTunes not to automatically sync my apps from my iPhone to my macbook?

That's how syncing works, all content should be residing on your computer. If you don't want to sync then you need to switch and manually manage content, but I would do a backup first and make sure everything is on your PC first.

Now if you mean you don't want new apps to sync to your phone then just uncheck 'automatically sync new apps'

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1977

Go to the apps tab and uncheck SYNC APPS. I would not reccommend this, as I said all content should reside on your computer.

As for the other, go into iPhone preferences and switch so that connecting camera opens no application.