Would you mind answering some questions for me please?
Can you describe the pictures? What are the demeanors or facial expressions on the individuals being photographed? Can you describe to us the background in the pictures? Are they all taken in the same vicinity or not? Are these photos family heirlooms, meaning old photo's of long time relatives?
Until I receive your reply on those questions; here are a few front face thoughts;
Let me start with the "not so out there" one first.
(1) You may simply be reacting to memories of a movie or something you have seen in the past that the photographs have triggered in your mind. Look at the photos carefully and see if anything seems familiar.
(2) You could be naturally practicing or tapping into a psychic ability called PSYCHOMETRY. Definition: The process of holding an object and reading from it psychic impressions concerning the article or its owner.
It is said that all objects retain the energy of the past therefore memories and moments can be picked up by someone who has these particular abilities.
You may very well be doing this with these photos.
(3) You could be viewing one of your past lives. You may in fact be one of the children or people in the photo's you are viewing. In turn, seeing 'yourself' again and reminding your now self of that time frame has sparked memories within you.
If you'll go ahead and answer the questions I asked of you, then we'll move forward. It may shed more light on the situation depending on your answers.
** If the dreams are bothering you for the moment, even when awake, it may help you to reassure yourself that whatever you are seeing is in the past and is not occurring at the present time. Anyone you have viewed being pained or hurt has moved on from that experience and are just fine.