Everest Solutions enters into a definitive agreement to acquire Lifetouch Canada

Everest Solutions and Imaging, a leading Canadian school photography company, announced a definitive agreement to acquire Lifetouch Canada. Terms weren’t disclosed. The transaction is expected to close in Q1 2026.

Everest Solutions is a relatively new player in the Canadian volume photography market, having launched in 2022 with Dan Boudreau as President and Arley MacKinnon as Vice President of Operations. More recently, the company added Kate Dath, a former Lifetouch executive, as national yearbook manager in September. Boudreau has been in senior leadership roles within Jostens, Lifetouch, and Edge Imaging.

According to the announcement, the acquisition brings together Everest’s technology innovations and proprietary Digital ID software platform with Lifetouch Canada’s established customer relationships and recognized brand. Most Lifetouch Canada employees, particularly those in field operations, customer service, and sales, will be joining the Everest team, ensuring continuity of service and expertise. All existing service agreements will be honoured without interruption, and the company will continue working with trusted partners, including Lifetouch Canada production facility in Winnipeg, MB.

“This acquisition represents the culmination of a strategic vision to build Canada’s premier school photography company,” said Boudreau. “By combining our innovative technology platform and Digital ID software with the experienced field and operations teams from Lifetouch Canada, we’re creating unprecedented value for schools, families, and our employees across the country. We’re excited to welcome the Lifetouch Canada team to the Everest family.”

“Customers can continue to count on our commitment to excellence and continuous improvement as we move into this next phase,” said Mark Morton, Everest’s Senior Vice President of Growth. “Our goal is to offer ongoing support that ensures uninterrupted service and a seamless transition as we prioritize customer needs during this important milestone.”

During this transition, the company will initially operate under “Lifetouch Powered By Everest” to ensure a familiar experience for customers. Everest will continue to maintain its headquarters in North Bay, Ontario, while expanding its presence across the country.

“We’re thrilled that Everest, a company founded by former Lifetouch employees, will continue the powerful legacy of quality, safety, and service that Lifetouch has built over the past nine decades,” said Ken Murphy, Group Chief Executive of Lifetouch. “We look forward to working with the Everest team to ensure that legacy continues for the schools and families we serve during this transition, while we turn a sharper focus to our core K-8 business here in the United States.”

The sale of Lifetouch’s Canada operations has been fodder in the volume photography gossip circles for years. And, with the recent sale of some U.S. Lifetouch accounts to Cady last fall, the continued disposition of the Lifetouch business within the Shutterfly family of companies remains a topic of conversation.