Photo by Travis Pratt Susan Williams Denny checks an image on the back of her camera while shooting pet portraits with Cassie Leonard and her boyfriend, Adeola Adeola, and their dogs, Roxie and Bullie, Sunday afternoon at the Frederick County Animal Welfare League.

On Sunday, the Animal Welfare League of Frederick County held its third annual holiday pet photo shoot.

Photographer Susan Williams Denny has been the league's official shutterbug all three years. "It goes pretty smoothly," she said Sunday, between shoots.

The Mount Airy photographer has been working since 2000, shooting families, children and pets. She said the day's most difficult feat was shooting puppies.

"It's fun seeing the same animals each year," Williams Denny said about the repeat customers.

Debra DePaul's three orange tabbies are getting to know the photographer well, after three years of posing for holiday photos. DePaul's cats are something of celebrities within the league; their photos are often used in the winter newsletter.

"It's a great way to support the league," DePaul said. "And the photography is really great."

Theo, Sylvie and Stewart were arranged in a Christmas-wrapped box, peeking out of the open top.

DePaul said initially it was just fun to add the photos to her Christmas cards, but she keeps coming back because it is becoming a tradition.

For a $20 sitting fee, participants receive a 5- by 7-inch photo. The purchase of a greeting card, calendar or mousepad is additional.

This year, league volunteer Mary Hiatt said the plan is to take photos by appointment only.

"The first year there were no appointments, and it was utter chaos," she said. Last year, they accepted appointments and walk-ins, and this year they tried to limit it to appointment-only. Hiatt said there were a few walk-ins, as well.

"This is not really a money-maker. People come to enjoy it," she said.

The money is used as a donation to the Animal Welfare League.

Hiatt said there were no problems on Sunday, but recalled that the first year when an errant cat wandered into the Christmas tree the volunteers had set up.

"We got a photo of the cat's behind sticking out of the tree. It was the one the customers chose, too," Hiatt said.

Each appointment takes about 20 minutes. Hiatt said they usually see more dogs than cats, because "sometimes (cats) don't wish to cooperate," she said.

Dog owners Kayla and Savannah Stull waited for their turn to pose with West Highland white terrier Snoopy and miniature Australian shepherd Harley.

The girls said they have been bringing their dogs for three years straight, but this is the first time they planned to share the photo with their pets.

"I just get the photo to put on my shelf," Kayla said.

The league had eight customers by 1:30 p.m., including appointments and walk-ins.

"It's nice to have the event (at our new facility) and get some exposure," Hiatt said. The league moved to 1202 E. Patrick St. in early October.