Bob Flath is a name and face known by numerous people in the Ortonville-Goodrich area. That being true, people may do a double take when reading photo credits.
Flath’s name and photos now appear in The Citizen and other newspapers of Sherman Publications Inc.
“I am happy to be here at The Citizen,” Flath said. “I am here because [publisher Jim] Sherman indicated to me that some editorial changes are being made, and I feel that this is the direction I want to go.”
The award-winning photographer has been a member of the Ortonville community for nearly 20 years, and has served in many capacities. Perhaps his best known role in the community has been that of The Village Photographer.
“I settled in Ortonville because I wanted to open a photography studio, and there was nothing between Clarkston and Goodrich, so I picked the middle.”
That choice turned out to be a good one, and he has remained a top photographer for many years.
Most recently, Flath has turned his business toward photojournalism, a capacity in which he has served for more than 12 years.
Prior to his behind the lens work for area newspapers, Flath worked as a freelance photographer covering events such as the Detroit riots in 1967 and photographing President George Bush on occasions when he visited Michigan.
“I am an excitement junkie,” Flath said. “I love the adrenaline of it. There is enough excitement here to keep the blood flowing.”
Don’t be fooled by Flath’s always-on-the-job attitude; the 66-year-old Brooklyn, N.Y. native isn’t all work.
“I like work, especially part-time, because that allows me to take time to visit my four children, who are now grown and live throughout the country,” he said.
Flath will still be in town, doing what he has always done. “I will be here, doing the same things as always,” he said. “The only thing that has changed is my business card.
“I don’t know what I would do if I retired,” he said. “I really enjoy photography. What better thing to do than to get paid for what you love to do?”