Here’s my take on this, as it’s a frustrating situation to be in.
I can see both sides of the argument when it comes to recovery methods. On one hand, you have DIY recovery apps and software that you can run from your PC. The main advantage here is speed and lower cost. You can try something like DiskDigger or other well-regarded desktop recovery tools immediately. However, the downside is that their success rate on modern, encrypted Android systems can be unpredictable, and you risk overwriting data if you’re not careful.
On the other hand, professional data recovery services have a much higher success rate because they use specialized hardware and techniques. The clear drawback is the significant cost and the time you’ll be without your phone. It really comes down to how valuable those photos are. Trying a reputable software first is a logical step, but a professional service is the more reliable bet.