Photographs in dreams can represent a spiritual need to understand the past. In a sense they are a microcosm within a macrocosm a small part within a greater whole. Obviously photographs represent memories, past occasions, perhaps past difficulties. To be looking at photographs of someone from the past is to be looking at that person's qualities perhaps bringing them forward into our own lives and making use of those same qualities within. In magical work a photograph is used as a representation of someone else and can have this meaning in dreams, rather than dreaming about the person concerned. When we dream of looking at photographs we are often looking at an aspect of ourselves, perhaps our younger self or a part of ourselves that we no longer feel is particularly valid. To be given a photograph of oneself would indicate that we need to be taking an objective view of situations round us or perhaps of ourselves within that situation. We need to stand back and look very clearly at what is going on. You might also like to consult the entry for Picture.