Smile, Snap, Find a Missing Child: Celebrating the Power of a Picture

You may know that a picture is worth a thousand words, but did you know it can sometimes help bring a missing child home? On World Photo Day, we’re celebrating the power of photographs to capture memories, tell stories and, in some cases, provide a critical tool in the search for a missing child.

Every school picture, birthday snapshot and family photo captures a moment in a child’s life. These images become treasured memories for families, but when a child goes missing, a recent photograph can take on a new purpose: helping someone recognize that child and providing a critical lead in the search to bring them home.

For more than 25 years, NCMEC and Lifetouch have partnered to help ensure families have access to current photos that can become an important tool in the search for a missing child. Lifetouch is the exclusive provider of NCMEC's Child Safety ID Cards.

“When a child goes missing, having a current photo can make a critical difference in the public and law enforcement’s ability to search for them,” said Gavin Portnoy, vice president of NCMEC’s Communication & Brand division. “What families may see as a simple school photo can become the most important tool at a critical time.” 

Through the partnership, Lifetouch provides families with a free SmileSafe Photo ID card, featuring their photograph and identifying information. If a child goes missing, Lifetouch can also provide NCMEC with a current photograph through its 24/7 rapid response program, helping NCMEC quickly share an image with the public and law enforcement. 

SmileSafe Photo ID Card Example. (Credit: Lifetouch)

The partnership has supported thousands of searches for missing children, demonstrating how a simple picture can have an impact far beyond the moment it was taken.

For Lifetouch, the partnership is a natural extension of its work capturing childhood memories. 

“For generations, families and schools have trusted Lifetouch to be part of their most important milestones and memories,” said Ken Murphy, CEO of Lifetouch. “Our partnership with NCMEC reflects our ongoing commitment to the communities we serve and our shared belief that every child matters. We are honored to support an organization that provides critical resources, guidance and hope to children and families across the country."

When a child is missing, time is critical. A current photo can help the public recognize what a child looks like today, giving people a better chance of identifying them and providing a lead that could help move the search forward. 

Because sometimes, a picture is more than a memory. It can be a vital piece of the effort to bring a child home. 

For more information on the SmileSafe program, visit Lifetouch’s website here: https://schools.lifetouch.com/smile-safe/.