Pictures of a life that morphed with the times

Ye Jinglu was born in 1881 in Fuzhou, Fujian province. He went to London at age 15 as an attendant to Luo Fenglu, the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) commissioner to Britain, Italy and Belgium.

Ye got the chance because his mother had worked as the Luo family's maid.

He stayed in London for five years and had his first portrait photo taken in a London studio in 1901. Political turmoil in China cut short Luo's diplomatic career.

Ye returned to Fuzhou from London with Luo. After Luo died in 1903, Ye helped with Luo's family business. He became the manager of the family's teashop and pawnshop, while teaching Chinese at the family's private school.

Ye started his tradition of taking one photo a year since 1907.

Business kept Ye busy. He often wrote letters to his customers abroad and sealed various international orders.

When he wasn't at work, he took pleasure in his three children's growth. His children attended the church's school in Fuzhou and later went to college.

Ye converted to Christianity and became a member of the Fuzhou Young Men's Christian Association.

In 1937, the political situation forced the closure of the two shops he managed. He stayed at home in retirement and spent more time on his new hobby - antique collecting.

He decided not to be photographed in 1952, feeling that was his "year of stigma". His elder son was interrogated in a political campaign and his eldest grandson reported him to the authorities for trafficking gold.

That year Ye had a paper-cut artist cut his silhouette instead. In 1968, Ye died of heart disease and complications of diabetes.