Yes, apps removed from your iPhone's Home Screen are not being completely deleted from your iPhone.
You can follow my way listed below to restore the deleted Photo icon on your iPhone:
- Go to the App Store on your iPhone.
- Search for the Photo app. Ensure that you enter the exact and intact name of the Photo app.
- Tap on the Redownload button.
- Wait for the Photo app to restore.
Now, you can open it from your iPhone's Home Screen.