Several school districts across the U.S. have scrapped plans for class photos after a social media post suggested a connection between a billionaire associated with Jeffrey Epstein and Lifetouch, a prominent photography company. Lifetouch, however, firmly stated on Friday that these allegations are “completely false.”
The cancellation of photo sessions in Texas and other areas started after a post linked Lifetouch to Apollo Global Management, an investment firm. The former CEO of Apollo, Leon Black, had frequent meetings with Epstein and sought his guidance on financial issues.
In 2019, Black was at the helm when Apollo acquired Lifetouch’s parent company, Shutterfly, in a $2.7 billion deal finalized just a month after Epstein’s death in a prison cell while awaiting trial for serious charges related to sexual abuse and trafficking of minors.
Both Lifetouch and Apollo referred to this timeline when responding to the rumors on Friday. Two days prior, Lifetouch’s CEO, Ken Murphy, clarified via Instagram that neither Black nor any Apollo board members had access to images taken by Lifetouch.
“No executive at Lifetouch has ever engaged with Epstein or shared student images with any outside party, including Apollo,” stated Lifetouch. “Apollo and its funds are not involved in our daily operations and do not access student images.”
The decision to cancel these photo sessions aligns with the ongoing fallout from the recent release of extensive files from the Epstein investigation, showing his interactions with various public figures, including CEOs and politicians, since his earlier conviction.
In Malakoff, Texas, the local school district halted its photo day shortly after concerned parents expressed discomfort with Lifetouch. A spokesperson, Katherine Smith, mentioned in an email that some other districts in Texas and a charter school in Arizona have also adjusted their plans due to similar concerns.
Smith noted, “We feel that keeping all photos in-house for the rest of this academic year is best for our students and families, and we are exploring options for the 2026-2027 year.”
Among the concerned parents is Makary Gunn, whose children attend school in Howe, roughly 90 miles north of Dallas. She worries about the extent of information Lifetouch gathers on students. “Every photo order includes the child’s name along with their age, grade, teacher, and school,” she expressed.
A recent review of thousands of documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice indicates there is no evidence linking Epstein, or anyone close to him, to Lifetouch photos, despite the existence of at least 1.7 million records. Notably, Black’s name appears around 8,200 times, though this figure might include duplicates.
Black resigned from his position as CEO of Apollo in March 2021, citing a desire to prioritize his family and health. A subsequent report concluded he sought Epstein’s advice on matters like estate planning and philanthropy but found no indication that Black engaged in any criminal activities linked to Epstein.
