Some gedolim opposed photography due to Avoda Zora. Others opposed it for kabbalistic reasons.
Even a godol who allowed himself to be photographed doesn’t show he felt it right or best. He may have wanted the guy to feel good or not embarrass him or help him make a parnassa. Doesn’t mean he felt it ideal. If an older family friend came over and patted him on the back and said, “well Shlomo Zalman, my friend, I see you grew up and made something good of yourself!”, I wouldn’t be shocked if he played and laughed along with him. Doesn’t make what that guy did right.