My impression is that there was so little photographic evidence available of the two of them being in the same place at the same time, that it was necessary to modify them both from separate photographs, and place them as they did, next to each other.
Every fake fulfills a need.
His legs have been modified to make him shorter, and her legs disappear at the knees.
Your impression is correct. Rod Stewart said it best, “So remember, every picture tells a story don’t it.”