Some of the most valuable possessions that I have are old snaps of my late wife.
She disliked getting photographed; few shots of her exist. I have a cut-out from her old International Driving Licence in my wallet; it lives beside the one of myself from my own licence of the day; amazing the amount of hair and beard that I used to own in the late 70s.
And yes, they certainly do make the person come to life; after five years, the mind loses its accuracy in such matters, and a photograph refreshes and reminds one like nothing else can.
Rob C