UPDATE: Feb. 24 at 9 a.m.
The Kentucky Educational Development Corporation is reinstating Lifetouch as a preferred vendor for school photography services following a comprehensive review process prompted by concerns over Shutterfly's historical association with Jeffrey Epstein.
KEDC said it took the concerns seriously and conducted a thorough, fact-based evaluation before reaching its decision.
As part of the review, KEDC examined publicly available records detailing the nature, scope, and timeline of the reported associations between Shutterfly and Epstein. The organization also reviewed corporate governance structures to determine the operational relationship between Shutterfly and Lifetouch.
Further, the corporation said it sought independent legal guidance to assess potential risk exposure for member districts, and examined current data security, student privacy, and compliance policies at Lifetouch. KEDC also reportedly consulted industry experts on best practices in student data protection and vendor accountability, and reviewed vendor agreements and contractual safeguards currently in place.
KEDC said that the investigation determined that the historical associations referenced were tied to past investment relationships that are "no longer active or connected to present-day operations."
The organization found that Lifetouch functions with its own leadership structure and operates under established data privacy, security, and compliance frameworks aligned with industry standards and legal requirements.
"We found no evidence of current affiliations or business practices that would compromise student safety, data protection, or district trust," KEDC said.
Based on the evidence reviewed and guidance obtained, KEDC concluded that Lifetouch meets its expectations for professionalism, service quality, and student data safeguards.
Member districts may choose the vendor that best meets their needs. KEDC said it will continue monitoring partners to ensure strong standards of safety, transparency, and ethics.
Original Story:
The Kentucky Educational Development Corporation has suspended all current and future use of Lifetouch photography services pending a thorough investigation into safety concerns.
According to reporting by The Associated Press, some school districts have dropped plans to use Lifetouch after social media posts linked the company to Apollo Global Management. Apollo’s former CEO, billionaire investor Leon Black, reportedly had financial ties to Epstein.
KEDC announced the suspension in a news release, citing "recent concerns surrounding Lifetouch, a national school photography vendor that has provided services within educational settings."
The organization said it made the decision "out of an abundance of caution and in alignment with our commitment to student well being."
School photo company defends privacy policy amid speculation over Epstein links
"Our children are the heart of everything we do," said Nancy Hutchinson, Chief Executive Officer of KEDC. "Their safety and well being rise above every partnership, every contract, and every operational decision. We will always act with care, transparency, and urgency when it comes to protecting the students entrusted to our schools."
KEDC serves multiple school districts across Kentucky and said it is actively monitoring developments while communicating with member districts as more information becomes available.
The organization emphasized that student safety and protection remain its highest priority and that it remains committed to maintaining partnerships that reflect the values and expectations of educators, families and communities.
In addition, Lifetouch addressed what it calls misinformation about student privacy and data protection practices amid recent concerns about how student images are handled.
Lifetouch said it shares student images only for school records and to allow parents or guardians to purchase them. The company also provides free SmileSafe cards to families through its partnership with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which can be used with law enforcement if a child goes missing.
The photography company addressed concerns about its ownership structure, stating that while it is owned by private equity firm Apollo Global Management, no past or present Apollo board members or investors have ever accessed student images for any purpose. This includes Apollo's original co-founder and former CEO Leon Black, who left the company in 2021.
The company emphasized its compliance with federal, state and local data privacy laws, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Lifetouch said it was the first school photography company to sign a voluntary and enforceable privacy pledge.
Addressing recent speculation, Lifetouch stated it is not named in the Epstein files and that the documents contain no allegations involving the company or suggesting student photos were used in illicit activities.
"We value the trust you put in us to safeguard your students' images, and we are proud to help families across the country preserve these milestone memories," the company said.
