Can you root your device after the fact, when trying to recover deleted pictures?

[AC Question]

I have accidentally deleted the entire album of pictures in my G3.
Reading, I learned of DiskDigger, but you need to be rooted.
Can I safely root and then attempt to install the app and try recovery? Or this works only if you are rooted BEFORE you delete the pics?
I am afraid rooting will mess it up at this point for recovery.
Any other ways I can recover these? Thanks