This is what I do.
Connect iPhone to Mac USB.
Launch photos app. Look in top left corner. See open photos for this device. HUncheck it if you do not want photos to start automatically.
See your iPhone top left in side bar.
Top right menu bar see import all new items.or those selected
They will appear in last import in side bar.
Make new empty album. Name it.
Neatly put new photos in that.
Open a photo and edit it in photos.