Hello and welcome to Android Forums. Hopefully I can help you with your problem.
Hopefully you can. Do you have any app that backups up your pics automatically like DropBox or anything like that? If not, using a file explorer, look for the DCIM on your sd card and your internal storage. That's where they should be stored unless you are allowing another app to handle your pictures. Check the DCIM folders. If they're not there then there is a very good possibility that they are gone 4 good.
If so, I feel for you. I've made the mistake when I was just learning about Android and it's not a good feeling at all. I suggest using an app such as DropBox to backup your photos if you aren't already. Also, I make frequent backups of my media (pics & videos) on a frequent basis in case of sd card or hardware failure.
Best of luck to you and I hope you find your pics.
PS, there are other apps out there that will back up your media too. Google + offers that feature.
If you have any other questions regarding your device, I invite you to join Android Forums. We have many sections for specific devices which contain a wealth of information.