Schools cut ties with photographer

EAST TEXAS — Following Lifetouch Photography’s involvement in a controversy regarding the Epstein files, numerous school districts throughout East Texas are canceling their partnerships with the company. According to our news partner KETK, districts that decided to end their partnership with Lifetouch earlier this week, following the allegations, include: Athens ISD, Kemp ISD, Malakoff ISD, Cross Roads ISD, Van ISD, Edgewood ISD and Winnsboro ISD.

In the released Jeffrey Epstein files, Leon Black, the former CEO of Apollo Global Management, which is the parent company of Lifetouch, is accused of making at least $158 million in payments to Epstein for “purported tax and estate planning advice.” However, an investigation by the United States Senate Committee on Finance found that the money was used to finance Epstein’s sex trafficking operations.

After the allegations were made, Lifetouch CEO Ken Murphy stated that the company remains committed to protecting all of its customers, including students.

“First and foremost, Lifetouch is a proud and trusted partner to thousands of educational institutions, and we take the privacy of all students we photograph extremely seriously,” Group Chief Executive Officer Ken Murphy said in a letter. “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.”

Despite this statement, several East Texas school districts have since parted ways with Lifetouch.

“Van ISD is aware of concerns regarding student photographs and our partnership with Lifetouch,” Van ISD said. “Please know that the safety of our students is always our top priority — both physically and digitally.”

Kemp ISD said it ended its partnership with Lifetouch after the recent allegations due to safety concerns.
“Kemp ISD is aware of the recent and widespread concerns regarding Lifetouch Photography,” the district said. “Due to safety concerns and in an effort to protect all students and staff, Kemp ISD is cancelling all scheduled photography and discontinuing service with Lifetouch.”

Several districts that have canceled their partnership with Lifetouch stated that for the remainder of the school year, individual and group photos will be taken by staff members or students in the yearbook