The two pillars of Godong’s photographic archive are “God” and “NGO’s”. The French agency’s comprehensive religious collection features aesthetic and educational photography covering the world’s major faiths as well as religious icons, traditions, events and notable persons. Godong complements its religious coverage with a focus on the developing world, thanks to its partnerships with several NGO’s.
At its core, Godong is the work of its two founders, former photojournalists Pascal Deloche and Philippe Lissac. Formed in 2003, Godong has grown to include the work of nearly a half-dozen other contributing artists and offers its customers a global perspective on faith and the developing world, through authentic images of people and cultures.
Celebration of gamou festival (mawlid, prophet’s Muhammad’s birthday) in Thies, Senegal. Muslim with prayer beads. Image: Godong/Universal Images Group 
Tu An buddhist temple. Rows of jade Buddha for universal peace. Image: Godong/Universal Images Group 
Wat Pho temple. Row of golden Buddha statues. Meditation. Bangkok. Thailand. Image: Godong/Universal Images Group 
The Om or Aum symbol. In Hinduism, Om is one of the most important spiritual sounds. Ho Chi Minh city. Vietnam. Image: Godong/Universal Images Group 
Tu An buddhist temple. Golden Buddha statue. Image: Godong/Universal Images Group 
Woman lighting a candle in front of a Virgin Mary statue in Notre Dame du Sablon catholic church, Brussels, Belgium. Image: Godong/Universal Images Group 
Foodwaste to egg program run by Energis Libani NGO in Houmal and Bdedoun, Lebanon. Image: Godong/Universal Images Group 
Devotee prostrating in ISKCON temple in Juhu, Mumbai, India. Image: Godong/Universal Images Group 
Jewish bible and star of David. Image: Godong/Universal Images Group 
The Thien Hau Temple the most famous taoist temple in Cholon. Hypnotic incense spirals. Ho Chi Minh City. Vietnam. Image: Godong/Universal Images Group 
Rope around tree trunk, rope with knot around tree. Image: Godong/Universal Images Group 
Guitar player. Close-up on hand. Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc. France. Image: Godong/Universal Images Group 
Wat Pho temple. Golden Buddha statue. Bangkok. Thailand. Image: Godong/Universal Images Group 
Kitten asking for food in Ndangane, senegal. Image: Godong/Universal Images Group 
Two old vietnamese conical hats on a wall. Ho Chi Minh city. Vietnam. Image: Godong/Universal Images Group 
Figure of a boy raising anchor on a boat at dusk on Mar Lodj island, Senegal. Image: Godong/Universal Images Group 
Foodwaste to egg program run by Energis Libani NGO in Houmal and Bdedoun, Lebanon. Image: Godong/Universal Images Group 
Sandeman wine cellar at the Quinta do Seixo museum. Portugal. Image: Godong/Universal Images Group 
Cactus in a botanic garden. Spines. Close-up. Dalat. Vietnam. Image: Godong/Universal Images Group 
Inside an Air Senegal plane before passengers board at Paris-CDG airport, Roissy-en-France. Image: Godong/Universal Images Group 
Yellow rose bud close up detail. Horticulture. Dalat. Vietnam. Image: Godong/Universal Images Group 
Roll of still chain for sale. Metal factory. Vung Tau. Vietnam. Image: Godong/Universal Images Group 
Saint Augustin church. Empty chairs. Deauville. France. Image: Godong/Universal Images Group
Pascal still travels regularly for Surgeons for Hope, an NGO focusing on health issues and children, and Philippe travels for NGOs and foundations such as World Vision and the organization’s Vision Fund which focuses on micro-financing, business loans and aiding producers’ cooperatives. Their extensive travels have helped Godong build a collection that depicts the developing world in a positive light, with imagery reflecting the human spirit’s desire for self-reliance and community.
Yoga. Serene woman meditating with hand in gyan mudra. Close up on hand. Paris. France. Image: Godong/Universal Images Group 
Giant fresh tartiflette, Roblochon cheese, potatoes and ham speciality in the French Alpes. France. Image: Godong/Universal Images Group 
Traditional chinese lanterns lights inside asian restaurant. Paper decorations in fashionable cafe. Image: Godong/Universal Images Group 
Kitchen help washing the dishes behind a restaurant. Image: Godong/Universal Images Group 
Mongkol Serei Kien Khleang Pagoda. Offerings to the Sangha. Alms from monks. Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Image: Godong/Universal Images Group 
The Great Paris Mosque. Islamic mosaics decoration. France. Image: Godong/Universal Images Group 
Saint Martin d’Ainay basilica. Image: Godong/Universal Images Group 
Set of blue towels. Image: Godong/Universal Images Group 
Detail of a peacock feather. Image: Godong/Universal Images Group 
Slippers sold at market. Image: Godong/Universal Images Group 
Celebration of Purim festival at Beth Loubavitch synagogue. Image: Godong/Universal Images Group 
The Koran (Quran) – Islamic sacred book. Image: Godong/Universal Images Group 
Torah scrolls in Hebrew. Image: Godong/Universal Images Group 
Interreligious symbols of the three monotheistic religions. Image: Godong/Universal Images Group 
Islamic Arts Museum. Image: Godong/Universal Images Group 
Close-up of a Christian cross on a rock. Image: Godong/Universal Images Group 
Regensburg Museum of History. Image: Godong/Universal Images Group 
National Museum of Ancient Art. Image: Godong/Universal Images Group 
Lower Minster Cathedral Parish Church. Image: Godong/Universal Images Group 
National Museum of Ancient Art. Image: Godong/Universal Images Group 
Basilica of the visitation. Image: Godong/Universal Images Group 
Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Robert Prevost arrives on the main central loggia balcony of the St Peter’s Basilica for the first time. Image: Godong/Universal Images Group
Godong’s renowned religious collection is a comprehensive study on global faiths. Their informative and beautiful imagery captures sacred art, religious architecture, religious icons, liturgy, symbols, holidays, events, spiritual leaders, pilgrimages and so much more.
Godong content is available through UIG and our licensing partners. To learn more about the Godong Collection, please visit them at www.godong-photo.com
All images featured in this post and on Kaleidoscope are available for licensing. Please contact us at info@universalimagesgroup.com