On importing iphone 4 pictures to Mac?

So i'm trying to import my photos from my iphone to my mac but it seems that my mac does not recognize my iphone. But when i plug in my phone it automatically pops up itunes and start syncing, you know the usual. But i try going to preview and look for import from iphone under file it doesn't show. So i try going on iphoto but it won't show either. I don't know if my system is up to date because it automatically does it. I don't know, i need help because i need photos from my iphone to do a birthday project for my nephew who is turning one this coming october. And i don't want to reset or restart my mac's system because i have important things in it. I need help as soon as possible. Thanks.

Added (1). I turn the photo stream on and it says no pictures in the stream and it finally shows up in my Mac and its all working fine but then a few seconds later it says "iphone was disconnected" but my phone is still connected:/

Your iphone should have a separate file from your camera roll that is called photo stream, and this should pop up automatically when you plug in your phone. You should check the settings on either your mac or your phone to see if the photo stream option is on.

Well then go to your camera roll where it shows all of your pictures, then tap the top right button and select the photos that you want to transfer. Then click email and send them to yourself and download them onto your mac.

You may take a look at this step by step guide, it's about how to transfer files from iPod touch and iPhone to computer iTunes, it supports Apps, Contacts, Songs, Videos, Photos, Playlist, Games, etc. Data files. Easy to understand and works pretty well for my iPhone.
http://ipodiphoneipadcopytools.posterous.com/ipodiphoneipad-to-mac-transfer