School photography company Lifetouch gets mixed up in Epstein files: Local districts respond

School photography company Lifetouch gets mixed up in Epstein files: Local districts respond

Published 5:30 am Saturday, February 21, 2026

Leaders of East Texas school districts are evaluating their contracts with school photography company Lifetouch following public scrutiny of the company ownership’s alleged ties with Jeffrey Epstein.

The controversy stems from a possible financial connection between Leon Black, the former CEO of Lifetouch’s parent firm, and Epstein, the convicted child sex offender who died by suicide in 2019.

Following the passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act in late 2025, mandating the release of millions of previously sealed Department of Justice records, and the recent 3.5 million-page “document dump” of the files, scrutiny has focused on any entities with ties to Epstein.

Documents do not show a direct link between Lifetouch and Epstein, but Black was recently mentioned in the newly released files.

About Lifetouch

Founded in 1936 as National School Studios and headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Lifetouch is one of the most recognized names in professional photography. The company serves thousands of schools nationwide through its K-12 student photography, sports and yearbook divisions.

The company also maintains a partnership with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, providing “SmileSafe” photo ID cards to families at no cost.

The current backlash stems from a series of high-dollar acquisitions. Shutterfly acquired Lifetouch in 2018 for $825 million; in September 2019, the private equity firm Apollo Global Management purchased Shutterfly — and by extension, Lifetouch — for approximately $2.7 billion. Epstein, however, had been dead for a month by the time the transaction was closed.

Black, who was CEO of Apollo during these acquisitions, resigned in 2021 following an investigation into his personal financial dealings with Epstein. The investigation revealed Black paid Epstein $158 million for tax and estate planning services between 2012 and 2017 — payments made after Epstein’s 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor in Florida.

Black has continually denied all allegations of misconduct and has since distanced himself from Epstein, stating that he “deeply” regrets any involvement with the deceased sex offender, the San Antonio Express-News reported.

Lifetouch responds

Lifetouch leaders issued a statement clarifying that the company is not named in the Epstein files and that Black never had access to student images or daily operations.

“When Lifetouch photographers take your student’s picture, that image is safeguarded for families and schools only, with no exceptions,” said Ken Murphy, CEO of Lifetouch.

The company emphasized that it complies with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and does not share or sell student images to train AI models or facial recognition technology.

“At Lifetouch, student safety goes beyond the camera lens. As a trusted partner to schools for 90 years, we’re committed to protecting the privacy and personal information of every student we serve. When Lifetouch photographers take your student’s picture, that image is safeguarded for families and schools, only, with no exceptions. Lifetouch does not — and has never provided — images to any third party.”

Fact-checking

Was Lifetouch directly linked to the Epstein files? In short, no.

As independent fact checkers point out, the link is contextual and the only relationship is through the ownership chain connecting Shutterfly to Apollo Global Management and an association of an Apollo co-founder. No Epstein document alleges Lifetouch was involved in criminal activity or that photo files were shared with Epstein.

In its statement, Apollo management clarified the relationship between Lifetouch.

“Funds managed by subsidiaries of Apollo Global Management are investors in Shutterfly, the parent company of Lifetouch,” the company said. “Neither Apollo nor its funds are involved in the day-to-day operations of Lifetouch, and therefore no one employed by Apollo has ever had access to any student images.”

Local districts take action

While this is a corporate-level connection and not a direct involvement, the perception of risk has sparked action at the local level.

Many parents have said they want their schools to cut ties with Lifetouch. Locally, some districts have announced plans either to temporarily suspend contracts with Lifetouch or terminate them altogether. Other districts already were not working with Lifetouch.

White Oak ISD and Pine Tree ISD do not use Lifetouch’s services.

Longview ISD

In a statement Friday, Longview ISD officials said: “Longview ISD is aware of recent information circulating regarding Lifetouch photography services. The majority of Longview ISD campuses already use other photography vendors. The district is reviewing available information and is providing campus principals with alternative photography vendor options for upcoming student pictures. Student safety and privacy remain priorities in all district decisions.”

Spring Hill ISD

Spring Hill ISD Superintendent Penny Fleet said in a statement Tuesday: “Spring Hill ISD is aware of recent concerns regarding Lifetouch and the district’s use of their photography services. In light of these concerns, this situation is under review. As with all school vendors, the district expects strict adherence to student safety protocols and data privacy standards. Please know that student safety — both physically and digitally — remains the highest priority of SHISD”

Gladewater ISD

In a Facebook post Monday, Gladewater ISD officials said Superintendent Rae Ann Patty is reviewing the district’s affiliation with Lifetouch, and all Lifetouch photography services have been suspended during the review.

“We are doing a thorough review of our contract because the fall pictures are used in the yearbook and many other projects,” officials said. “We want to make sure we keep our students’ information safe while trying to make sure we provide photo opportunities for the remainder of the year. We have begun the vetting process for a new vendor for the remainder of this year and in the future.”

— masslive.com contributed to this report.