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An Ashland photographer is helping create lasting memories of beloved dogs for their owners. Cynthia Daniel Wolf takes portraits of four-legged friends in various settings, most recently at Wellness Pet Supplies in Ashland, where Fido and Fluffy posed as reindeer with Santa. “Their personality, their energy, what mood they’re in, that’s what I try to bring out, as an animal photographer,” says Wolf. “I help them relax. The four-leggeds usually do that with their family around.” The pets get treats for their trouble, she says. It’s the first year Wellness Pet Supplies owner Billie Jo Vinson offered the portraits — with the help of husband Doug Strain as Santa — and she’s planning on doing it again next holiday season, noting they make great Christmas cards or framed presents. Even though most people probably never pictured Santa posing with their beloved pets, Vinson saw a good turnout, she says. The pictures cost $20, with a portion going to the Southern Oregon Humane Society and Friends of the Animal Shelter. As an animal photographer, Wolf says she likes to first meet with the owners and their pets to get a feeling for their personalities. Then she’ll often shoot photos outdoors, such as in Lithia Park’s Japanese Garden or on the coast, and sometimes will use art apps and print them on canvas to make them look like paintings. Pet portraits are especially meaningful, Wolf says, because for some people, “their animals are their children that they never had or are their favorite best friend and companion — or the children are grown up and gone, so the dogs are such a part of the family that they want the pictures on their walls.” Her website is cynthiadanielwolf.com and she can be reached at 214-587-7686 or by email at [email protected] .