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

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 shooting families, children and pets since 2000. She said the day's most difficult feat was photographing puppies.

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

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 within the league; their photos are often used in the winter newsletter.

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

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

Initially, it was just fun to add the photos to her Christmas cards, DePaul said, but now it is becoming a tradition.

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

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

"The first year there were no appointments, and it was utter chaos," she said.

Last year they accepted both appointments and walk-ins, and this year they tried to limit it to appointment-only. There were a few walk-ins as well, Hiatt said.

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

The money is a donation to the Animal Welfare League.

Sunday went smoothly, but Hiatt recalled that the first year an errant cat wandered into the Christmas tree.

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

Each sitting takes about 20 minutes. They usually see more dogs than cats, Hiatt said.

"Sometimes (cats) don't wish to cooperate."

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

The Stull sisters said they have brought their dogs for three years straight, but this is the first time they planned to be in the photo with their pets.

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

Sittings began at 10 a.m. and the league had eight customers by 1:30 p.m., including both 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.