Schools Nix Class Photos Over Epstein Concerns

Lifetouch photography company denies any ties to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Several school districts in Texas and Arizona have canceled or changed plans for student class photos after widespread social media posts linked the photography company Lifetouch to billionaire investor Leon Black, who had ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Lifetouch and its parent company Apollo Global Management have denied any connection between Epstein and the photography business.

Why it matters

The disruption to school picture plans highlights the lingering impact of the Epstein scandal, with parents and schools wary of any potential association with the disgraced financier. The situation also raises broader questions about student data privacy and the role of large corporations in the school photography industry.

The details

In 2019, funds managed by Apollo Global Management, whose former CEO Leon Black had ties to Epstein, acquired Lifetouch's parent company Shutterfly in a $2.7 billion deal. This led to online speculation about Lifetouch's connection to Epstein, despite Lifetouch and Apollo denying any such link. Several school districts, including in Malakoff, Texas and a charter school in Arizona, have since canceled or changed their plans for Lifetouch to photograph students, citing parent concerns.

  • In September 2019, Apollo's $2.7 billion acquisition of Lifetouch's parent company Shutterfly was completed, about a month after Epstein's death.
  • In March 2021, Leon Black stepped down as Apollo's CEO, two months after a company report concluded he had personal ties to Epstein but found no evidence of involvement in Epstein's alleged criminal activities.

The players

Lifetouch

A photography company that photographs millions of students each year.

Apollo Global Management

An investment firm that acquired Lifetouch's parent company Shutterfly in 2019.

Leon Black

The former CEO of Apollo Global Management, who had personal ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

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What they’re saying

“No Lifetouch executives have ever had any relationship or contact with Epstein and we have never shared student images with any third party, including Apollo.”

— Lifetouch, Company statement (Lifetouch)

“Whenever you order the pictures, it has their name. It has the age, of course. It has their grade, their teacher, the school that they're in.”

— MaKallie Gann, Parent (Associated Press)

What’s next

Schools are evaluating alternative options for student class photos for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year.

The takeaway

The Epstein scandal continues to have ripple effects, with schools and parents wary of any potential association with the disgraced financier. This situation highlights the need for greater transparency and oversight in the school photography industry, as well as the importance of protecting student data privacy.