Schools around the country currently contract Lifetouch, a large international photography company, for student pictures, despite its former CEO having deep ties to Jeffrey Epstein. This includes the school my children attend in Harrison County, West Virginia. This needs to end. 

We, the undersigned, believe our schools should prioritize partnerships with local photographers instead who offer:
• Higher-quality, more personalized photography
• Flexible and affordable packages for families
• Direct reinvestment into our community
• Stronger relationships with students and staff
• Support for small businesses that are part of our town’s identity

Local photographers are fully capable of providing school portraits, sports photos, yearbook images, and event photography — often with more creativity, care, and community connection than large corporations.

We respectfully request that the school district:
1. Open the photography contract to local bids
2. Allow local photographers to present their services and pricing
3. Consider rotating or multi-vendor options to support multiple small businesses
4. Prioritize community-based partnerships over corporate contracts

By choosing local photographers, our schools can keep money in our community, uplift small businesses, and provide families with better, more meaningful school photos.

Not to mention there are some Community Safety & Transparency Concerns. In recent years, many families have become more cautious about how large corporations handle children’s photographs, data, and personal information. High-profile cases — including the extensive investigations surrounding Jeffrey Epstein — have increased public awareness about the importance of transparency, oversight, and local control when it comes to services involving minors.

While there is no evidence that Lifetouch was involved in those crimes, the broader cultural concern remains: parents want school services, especially those involving children’s images, to be handled by trusted, local professionals who are part of our community and directly accountable to it.

We urge the school board to review this policy and take action that reflects our community values.

If we all as a WHOLE boycott this comapny schools will have no choice but to listen!