Lost treasures? These vintage photos have sparked a worldwide treasure hunt

Up until a few weeks ago, small town photographer Meagan Abell was best known for her wedding photography and experiments with film. Now, the Richmond native is behind the internet's latest obsession: a worldwide treasure hunt with nothing more than a few, beautifully shot photographs as clues. Two weeks ago, while rummaging through the shelves of a local thrift shop, Abell chanced upon a series of medium format negatives. Intrigued by the negatives, Abell explains that she then bought, developed and scanned them - but what popped out of the scanner, caught her by surprise. The result was a series of captivating photographs, built with romantic color compositions and perfectly soft shadows. The true appeal of the shots, however, is in the mystique of the subjects themselves. Each woman faces just slightly away from the camera, enough to keep their true identities hidden. Turning to the internet for help, Abell posted the images on her Facebook, hoping to track down the photos' mysterious origins. Using the #FindTheGirlsOnTheNegatives hashtag to track developments, Abell has collected tips from interested sleuths. The tips have helped Abell zone in on two possible beach locations in California, where the photos may have been taken.

CNN values your feedback

Lost treasures? These vintage photos have sparked a worldwide treasure hunt

Download the CNN app

Download the CNN app