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.

Alfred Yetta (L) and Kay Manning pose for a photo in front of a cardboard cut-out of Pope Francis, during an event organised by Christa Scalies, the co-creator of the Pop-Up Pope, in Fado Irish Pub & Restaurant in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 16, 2015. (Photo by Mark Makela/Reuters)

French model Iris Mittenaere attends the screening of “Final Cut (Coupez!)” and opening ceremony red carpet for the 75th annual Cannes film festival at Palais des Festivals on May 17, 2022 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Stephane Mahe/Reuters)

Humanoid robots perform at the World Robot Conference 2023 in Beijing, capital of China on August 16, 2023. The World Robot Conference 2023 opened here Wednesday, showcasing cutting-edge achievements and the latest robot industry exhibits. (Photo by Wang Yuguo/Xinhua/Alamy Live News)

Local residents receive food from federal authorities in Xalacahuantla, Mexico, on Thursday, October 16, 2025. Hundreds of communities in central and eastern Mexico were cut off by deadly landslides and flooding caused by torrential rains. (Photo by Alfredo Estrella/AFP Photo)

Fishmongers cut and clean fish at the Soumbedioune fish market in Dakar, Senegal, May 31, 2022. In Senegal, fish and seafood represent more than 40% of the animal protein intake in the diet. According to a U.S. report, one in six people work in the fisheries sector. (Photo by Grace Ekpu/AP Photo)

Kenyan photographer and art director Barbara Minishi (L) takes pictures of her room mate and fashion stylist Wambui Thimba (R) wearing a creation by a Kenyan fashion designer on the rooftop of their apartment in Nairobi, Kenya, on June 1, 2020. After their scheduled works was cancelled due to the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, Minishi and Thimba have started their own project called “the Kenya Fashion & Style Diary in 21 days” to showcase a Kenyan fashion brand everyday for 3 weeks on social networking services since May 22, 2020 by only shooting at their apartment. (Photo by Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP Photo)