Using system restore will return the system to how it was at the time the
checkpoint was created with the exception of user data such a picture files,
e-mail message store, etc.  What this means is that any shortcuts placed on
the desktop seen the checkpoint was created will have been deleted and the
desktop layout will have returned to that at the time of the checkpoint since
this is stored in the registry and the registry was also returned to that
earlier date.

Your picture folder should have been untouched so were they only shortcuts on
the desktop?  In which case you will need to recreate the shortcuts.

For details as to the file extensions monitored by the state manager (for
system restore) see the <EXTENSIONS> < Include> section in the file
FileList.xml.  For details of files and folders EXCLUDED from system restore's
embrace see the section <DIRECTORIES>  <Exclude> which includes the entire My
Documents tree (regardless of file extension), Temp and Tmp folders and your
Temporary Internet Files.

Failing all else if you find you have lost an important file you can return
your system to how it was before the restore, save the file(s) in a non
monitored location and then repeat the restore.