iPad mini can't complete sync wirelessly or plugged in

My iPad mini is kicked out of iTunes and reboots during photo synch, then iTunes can't find it again. This happens over both wi-fi and plugged-in syncs.

I have seen the syncing article for the mac and done the things recommended several times, as this has been going on since I upgraded to Mavericks and to iOS 7 a few months ago. Also had to do two full restores on the ipad mini at different times, since syncing suddenly caused it to cycle on and off endlessly. First restore was with Apple over the phone.

Syncing starts and always quits sometime during photo sync. Syncing without the photos works fine. Is it iphoto on the mac? I'm using 9.5.1. It's so buggy I'm hesitant to uninstall/reinstall it. itunes is also current.