Please I need advice, why would he do this if I thought we were friends?

Possible he is scared to be in a relationship or just not ready for one. I think everybody is different, so to say why he would do/say anything is hard. Give him time and try to be that friend, I'm sure if anything is meant to happen, it will when the time comes. Keeping the pictures says he has interest in them, I'm sure there's a reason for that.