Factual error: When Sy is watching the Simpsons in his apartment, the clips we see, while all from the same episode, are spaced further apart than what we see. [Some people say they're from different episodes - a mistake regardless.] (00:17:05)
Factual error: The Point & Shoot Camera Sy uses throughout the movie (Minolta Freedom Zoom 150) has a lit in-viewfinder readout. The real camera does not have any fancy readout, just a thin circle to help center and frame your image.
Answer: It wasn't his mother. He was just trying to fit in and make himself feel better. There is a scene earlier of Sy buying the photo at some type of vendor. Maybe a swap meet.
William Bergquist