My iPod 5th generation isn't turning on or updating

My iPod was working just fine for the past 2 years that I've had it, and suddenly when it died the other day it refuses to turn on. I've been pressing the home and off button together and I see the Apple logo, and then appears the iTunes symbol and I go to update my iPod through iTunes, because that is what iTunes directed me to do, and then it says it is unable to update because of an unknown error. My iTunes account is updated to the most recent one, and I've tried everything that I've seen on Google. I really would not want to restore my iPod in fear of losing all my photos because I haven't backed up my iPod in a while due to not having any space. Please help!