French photographer and director Romain Laurent started making portrait-based GIFs as a way to produce work outside his commercial jobs, a spontaneous project that would encourage him to produce consistently for himself rather than clients.

“On Friday, after something of a show trial, three young women in a Russian punk band were found guilty and sentenced to two years in prison for an anti-Vladimir Putin protest in a Moscow cathedral earlier this year”. – Daniel Schwartz via CBC News

Photo: A woman wears on her chest the text “free p*ssy riot” as a demonstration by supporters of the jailed feminist punk band p*ssy Riot takes place outside the Russian Embassy on August 17, 2012 in London, England. The three women who staged an anti-Kremlin protest in a church in February, were found guilty today of hooliganism motivated by religious hatred, and could face a three-year jail sentence. Supporters are gathering in several cities around the world today as a mark of solidarity. (Photo by Dan Kitwood)

A window cleaner passes a lighter to his colleague while rappelling from a new building in Tianjin March 23, 2007. (Photo by Reuters/Stringer)

Anne Hathaway arrives for the premiere of Twentieth Century Fox & Blue Sky Studios' “RIO” on April 10, 2011 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by John Sciulli/Getty Images)

Lady Gaga arrives at Nevermind Nightclub on July 11, 2011 in Sydney, Australia. Lady Gaga fans gathered outside two Sydney nightclubs in hopes to catch a glimpse of the singer after she sent a cryptic tweet suggesting her she'd be stopping by the venues. (Photo by Marianna Massey/Getty Images)

Fuse TV VJ's Marianela and Juliya attend the store opening of “Nigo's A Bathing Ape” with Pharrell Williams January 11, 2005 in New York City. (Photo by Paul Hawthorne/Getty Images)