Stupid IOS7 Update and Restoration Not Working

I tried to updat my 5th gen touch and it worked until it suddenly told me that I need to restore my ipod to use it with itunes on my computer, and my ipod is not on and functioning because of it. i just really want to make sure that my photos are backed up. how do i know they are backed up now, because it's too late to do anything to it???? Help, please!?