MALAKOFF, Texas — School picture days are being canceled across parts of the United States after social media posts falsely linked the photography company Lifetouch to Jeffrey Epstein through its connection to the investment firm Apollo Global Management. At least five school districts in East Texas have canceled or altered plans for student photos, and similar decisions have been made in other states, including Arizona, following the online claims.
The Malakoff Independent School District in Texas was among the first to respond to the circulating allegations, canceling scheduled picture days after parents expressed concerns. “We decided our students and families would be best served by keeping all of our pictures in-house for the rest of this year,” district spokesperson Katherine Smith said in a statement. “and we are looking at all of our options for the 2026-2027 school year.” Similar decisions were made by Kemp ISD, Athens ISD, Cross Roads ISD, Van ISD, Winnsboro ISD, and Edgewood ISD, according to local reports.
The controversy stems from the recent release of court documents related to the Epstein investigation, which revealed frequent contact between Epstein and Leon Black, the former CEO of Apollo Global Management. Apollo acquired Lifetouch’s parent company, Shutterfly, in 2019 for $2.7 billion, a month after Epstein’s death in jail whereas awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. As the Associated Press reported, the timeline of the acquisition has fueled speculation online.
Lifetouch and Apollo have both vehemently denied any wrongdoing or connection between Black and the company’s photographic operations. “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 CEO Ken Murphy stated in a statement released Friday. Apollo echoed this sentiment, emphasizing its lack of involvement in Lifetouch’s day-to-day operations.
Despite the denials, concerns persist among parents. MaKallie Gann, a parent in Howe, Texas, expressed worry about the amount of personal information collected by Lifetouch during the photo process. “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,” according to the Dallas News.
A review of the released Epstein files by news organizations, including the Associated Press, has not uncovered any evidence suggesting Epstein or his associates ever accessed Lifetouch photos. The Justice Department released over 1.7 million records, and Black’s name appears approximately 8,200 times, though many entries are likely duplicates. Black stepped down as Apollo’s CEO in March 2021 after an internal review found he had received advice from Epstein on personal financial matters, but concluded he was not involved in any criminal activity. The AP reported that the review was initiated by Black himself.
The cancellations represent the latest fallout from the ongoing scrutiny of Epstein’s network, following the release of the court documents. As school districts grapple with parental anxieties and navigate the complexities of these allegations, the future of school picture days remains uncertain.