Phone 4 passcode unlock

I'm sorry, but because the passcode is stored only on the phone, not on Apple's servers, there's no way of retrieving it as you can with an Apple ID. The only way to make the phone usable is to erase it, and this will of course delete any data on it. if the photos weren't backed up anywhere else then there's no way of saving them.

If you forgot the passcode on your iPhone, or your iPhone is disabled - Apple Support

rs09 wrote: ... you could try connecting it to a Mac and unlocking it with iTunes ...

The page I linked to above says:

'If you can’t remember your passcode, you'll need to erase your iPhone,

which deletes your data and settings, including the passcode.'

There is no way of unlocking it and retaining the data.

If you want to unlock it and access the data, you will have to try and remember the passcode, otherwise you could try connecting it to a Mac and unlocking it with iTunes (but it might restore it instead) or you incorrectly guess the passcode 5 times on older iPhones and it will reset. Also, what iOS is it running? It may help depending on the system

I got confused with iPods

I had to unlock mine with iTunes so I thought it would work with older iPhones.

That's a stroke of luck: well done!