[1] He was assigned to take pictures in Zhongnanhai[2] of the main Chinese leaders of that time including chairman Mao Zedong, Premier Zhou Enlai and President Liu Shaoqi.
[9] From 1950 to 1957, he worked in the photography section of the Central Garrison Bureau in the General Office of the Chinese Communist Party and was hired by the Xinhua News Agency in 1958.
The images portrayed him as a family man who enjoyed his free time by playing ping pong, joking with his children, and swimming.
[1][9] Lü refuted claims that Jiang Qing, Mao's third wife, learned photography from him, although he took pictures of her as well.
[3] In a 2001 interview with People's Daily, Lü said that Mao had given him full freedom and never posed for the pictures, and he never complained about the picture-taking.
[1][3][11] Lü Houmin was allowed (by Mao) to travel to Cuba to receive an award for his photography and to attend the opening ceremony for the Film Show of World People against Imperialists.
He published four picture albums: Chairman's Elegant Demeanor, Mao Zedong, Public Servant, and Long Journey of Split of Time.
His virtues, like his strong will, courage and resourcefulness, tolerance, integrity and simplicity, have always inspired me"[3] Houmin also said that Mao was a person who cared deeply about his staff.
[1] According to Lu, Mao was extremely thrifty having only a well-patched blanket and one pair of leather shoes, and he was able to convince the staff not to take advantage of their privileges.
[2][9] In an interview with Shanghai Daily in 2009, Lü said he never thought to write his memories with Mao since his pictures were more powerful and honest.