iPhone images will not download to iPhoto: "Error downloading image"

Ever since I updated my iPhone 4S a few months ago, it will not connect to iPhoto.

Today I tried to import photos from iPhone to iPhoto '09 (8.1.2) and the error reads: "Error downloading image: iPhoto cannot import your photos because there was a problem downloading an image." I tried importing only the first photo, same thing occurs.

I have a late '08 MacBook Aluminum, running 10.6.8. iPhone is running on the most current update. I do not want to use a different program like Image Capture. I want to fix my iPhoto.

Please help, I'm about to pull out all my hair.