Can I still access my old photos?

Hi

I've been searching through loads of posts this morning to see if I can get back the photos that were in my windows live gallery - I've just successfully got windows live gallery but all the photos I had there are not there any longer - any help as to where I can access my photos gallery - please? It'll be such a shame - I have years of photos and I'm getting really fed up of my photos being automatically uploaded to all kinds of platforms - I used to have a very good photo management system but now I'm totally confused and just want one place!! 

Apologies if the answer is already here but I've gone goggle eyed trying to search. 

Any help gratefully received.