how do i get photos from a stolen device?

To effect earlier suggestions as actual solutions:

'If you're missing photos or videos in the Photos app' on a mobile device, click here --> https://support.apple.com/HT205912

- Make sure that iCloud Photos is turned on

- Sign in with the same Apple ID

You can also check for photos by logging into your account on iCloud.com and use the Photos app there.

If you were not using iCloud photos to sync your photographs then they may still be stored on another device or as part of a backup. You can restore the backup ( https://support.apple.com/HT204184 ) to recover the photos but doing this will require erasing your device and restoring everything back to the time when you made that backup.

You cannot. You can only get the photos from your backup or from iCloud/photos if you use it.