Any way to recover my files after a bad update?

My Galaxy S6 was killed by a Verizon "update" yesterday. When I start it, it goes to the red Verizon logo and that's it. I can also navigate to the Recovery screen by holding home+volume up+power while booting up. This takes me to a blue android screen that says Applying Update, then No Command, then the recovery screen. I tried installing the firmware myself using ADB sideloading as I found on a website (which this forum is marking as spam). But it just says Status 1 and doesn't work. Maybe something about needing a signed firmware file from Verizon itself? I don't know.

I took it to a cell phone repair guy but he seemed even more clueless than me. Didn't even know how to turn the phone off from the Verizon screen.

I don't want to use the Factory Reset because there are some pictures on my phone that I'd really like to keep. The repair person said my text messages were saved on my SIM card so I don't have to worry about them - is that true?

TLDR - is there any way to back up my images before using the factory reset? I tried Samsung Switch but that doesn't connect to my phone. And I tried EaseUS MobiSaver for Android which tells me that I need to enable USB debugging on my phone (sure, I'll get right on that!). So, any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

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