I never mentioned backup, and you are confused about what a backup is. If there is only one copy of your Contacts and Pictures you have no backup, even if that copy is in iCloud you still have NO backup. A backup (however made) is a secondary copy that can be utilized in an emergency. It is not automatic, you have to take the time to protect your stuff no-one will do it for you. When you connect a phone to iTunes a backup (an additional copy) is made of some items, Contacts and Pictures are not among them. So, if you never took the time to actually backup your stuff you no longer have your stuff.
But, you said you connected to iTunes, presumably to sync (if not tell me what you did, or what you think you did), it is possible that if everything was stored locally (on the phone) you may recover them but as yet you have given no clue as to where your Contacts and Pictures were stored.