Lifetouch Photography, used by some Stanislaus schools, fights Epstein files rumor
Schools across the country are facing parent concerns after a viral and unsubstantiated rumor claimed that Lifetouch, a photo company used by many districts for picture day, is in the Epstein files. In Stanislaus County, Turlock Unified School District, Modesto City Schools and Ceres Unified School District all contract with Lifetouch.
The rumors stem from the fact that Lifetouch’s parent company is Shutterfly, which is owned by the private equity firm Apollo Global Management. Apollo’s former CEO is billionaire Leon Black, who is named thousands of times in the Epstein Files and was advised by Jeffrey Epstein on financial matters. Lifetouch CEO Ken Murphy released a message, assuring the public that “Lifetouch is not named in the Epstein files,” and that “no individual currently or formerly employed by Apollo Global Management has had access to student images or student information.”
At MCS and CUSD, only some of the schools contract with Lifetouch.
“The safety and well-being of our students is always our top priority. We have not seen any evidence, or even any suggestion, that school pictures have fallen into the wrong hands or otherwise been compromised or left unsecured,” Shams said in a statement to the Modesto Bee. “However, if parents have questions, they are invited to reach out to our Office of Communications and Community Engagement at 209-492-1429.”
Both Shams and Jimenez added that they haven’t heard from many parents with questions about Lifetouch following the false social media rumors.
The Turlock school district sent a message to students and families on Feb. 24 after hearing parents’ concerns and republished the Lifetouch CEO’s message. TUSD sent another update to parents Wednesday night to inform them that district representatives were meeting with Lifetouch to inquire about their “protocols and procedures for protecting student safety and privacy.”
Apollo’s former CEO is also named in an email chain in FBI files that notes, “[Someone] stated that Epstein told her to give Black a massage while Black was naked and that someone stated another female gave Black a massage and he made her perform oral sex,” USA Today reported.
This story was originally published February 26, 2026 at 12:04 PM.
