Local schools reexamine picture day providers

2-25-26

By Lauren Royce
Editor
SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY — Lifetouch, a photo company that handles picture days for schools nationwide was linked to the Epstein files, not named in them, via a sort of twice-removed connection, but a connection nonetheless that has parents and administrators questioning the brand’s safety.
Named in the files is billionaire investor Leon Black, former CEO of Apollo Global Management which purchased Shutterfly, Lifetouch’s parent company, in September 2019 after Jeffrey Epstein’s death. Black was named over 8,200 times in the Epstein files released by the Department of Justice.
School districts in Susquehanna County mainly use local photographers.
“We’ve always used Craiges Photique, never Lifetouch,” said Connie Birchard, administrative assistant for Montrose School District’s superintendent office.
Elk Lake School District also uses Craige’s Photique, having done at least two or three five-year contracts. “It’s been a long time, I would say we’ve been with them at least 15 years,” said Marie Smith, assistant in the Susquehanna Superintendent’s office.
“We’ve used a couple photography companies since we’ve been here to do traditional photos, Lifetouch was used last year,” said John Rushefski, superintendent of Susquehanna Community School.
“I’m surprised as a school leader to hear what just came out about that. And certainly we’re going to be taking a good look at what we want to do going forward,” Rushefski said. “We’re focusing always on student safety, but who would have thought this would have been a part of this national worldwide news story?”
Rushefski said he would meet with principals and the board to maintain safety around student photos. “We’ve been using Lifetouch for this particular school year— this is the first time Susquehanna has used Lifetouch.” Otherwise, Susquehanna has previously used local photographers in the county.
Rushefski said Lifetouch offered a good package that seemed good for families, so the school went with its bid. But upon learning this new information, a reevaluation is in order.
“Regardless of what’s in the contract, we’re going to do what’s safe,” he said.
Lesley Stonier, assistant in superintendent Matt Button’s office, said Blue Ridge uses Upstate Images based in Vestal, NY for picture day for the 2025-2026 school year. Button said local photographers had been used prior, such as Endless Mountains Photography before they went out of business.
Blue Ridge had received a handful of bids including one from Lifetouch, but “We went with Upstate for the simple fact that we liked their presentation, and the gentleman was presentable,” Button said. “They’re going to provide all our services for next year as well.”
Rob Locke, president of Upstate Images, said his company ensures photos of students are handled safely.
“Upstate Images is a trusted local company, with a safe and secure platform that uses student images only for school-authorized photography services,” Locke said. “Protecting student images means protecting the systems that store and process images. Our portrait gallery and ordering platform is SOC 2 compliant. SOC 2 is an independent, third-party auditing standard that evaluates controls related to data security, availability, and confidentiality. This means our ordering platform has undergone external review of its security practices.
Locke said SOC2 compliance is an ongoing process that shows an organization’s ongoing commitment to the highest possible standard. He said Upstate Images adheres to general industry standards, including ensuring all photographers are safe and performing background checks on every employee. Photographers should never share student images with any outside company and student images are password-protected so they are only available to parents and schools and cannot be seen in public browsing. Lastly, Upstate Images maintains compliance with FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act).
“At Upstate Images, parents, students, and schools can feel confident that we will always do the right thing with every portrait at every school,” Locke said.
Mountain View and Forest City schools did not immediately respond to phone calls requesting interview Thursday.