Can photos be retrieved after water damage occurs?

Hi,
I am hoping to get a Samsung galaxy s2 repaired after it fell down the toilet. *I only want to retrieve my photos off it. There was no memory card installed. *I have tried to get it repaired and
was told it was fixable and it required a new circuit board but I would not be able to get my photos. This is the only reason for repair as it is all of my baby's first year. *Could you advise
about this?

Thanks