Scholars have stated that it is haram to make sculptures of humans/animals. Keeping them in the house is not haram, but it is Makrouh, and the angels don’t enter a room in which there are sculptures.
As for photo pictures, they are ok. Yes, praying towards them is Makrouh. So if there is a portrait in front of you during prayer it’s best to cover it or remove it. But keeping the portrait in the house is ok.