RIT photography alumnus Bing Liem creates new opportunities to help current students build successful careers in the imaging industry

Rochester, New York – An RIT graduate who built a successful career in the photography industry is giving back to the university by creating meaningful opportunities for today’s students, helping them gain valuable experience, expand their professional networks, and showcase their creative talents.

Bing Liem, a 1984 graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology’s photo processing and finishing management program, has made it a personal mission to support the next generation of photographers. Drawing on decades of leadership experience and an extensive network across the imaging industry, Liem is helping current students connect with professionals and gain firsthand exposure to the field they hope to enter.

Today, Liem serves as division president of the Imaging Division of FUJIFILM North America Corporation. Working from Ridgefield, Connecticut, he oversees nearly every aspect of the company’s photography business outside of digital cameras. Beyond his role at FUJIFILM, he is also president of the International Photographic Council (IPC), an organization that promotes photography as a universal language capable of connecting people around the world.

Although he has held executive leadership positions at two major companies, including a C-suite role during his time at Agfa Gevaert, Liem says his career path began with the education and industry connections he developed while studying at RIT.

He recalls being encouraged to enroll in the program after hearing about the strong demand for graduates and the close relationships the university maintained with employers throughout the photography industry.

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“When I talked to other students, they told me that I would have more job opportunities than I would even know what to do with if I joined the program,” said Liem. “They said I wouldn’t have to send out résumés and that companies would come looking for me, and that is exactly what happened.”

Looking back on the opportunities that launched his own career, Liem decided he wanted to ensure current RIT students could benefit from similar experiences. Instead of simply offering advice, he has focused on creating real opportunities that allow students to interact directly with industry leaders and begin building professional relationships before graduation.

One of those efforts came through his leadership of the International Photographic Council. As president of the organization, Liem has worked to increase the involvement of young photographers, believing they bring fresh ideas and new perspectives that strengthen the photography community.

To support that goal, he invited students participating in RIT’s study away program in New York City to attend the IPC’s annual luncheon at the United Nations headquarters. More than 40 students joined photographers, educators, and industry professionals during the event, creating an atmosphere that left a lasting impression on many attendees.

“After the luncheon, I received several comments from industry attendees who said it was such a good event and that having more than 40 students in the room brought a completely new energy,” said Liem. “I think there is a ton we can learn from these students.”

The luncheon gave students an opportunity to observe experienced professionals, meet potential mentors, and better understand how careers in photography can develop beyond the classroom. It also demonstrated the importance of connecting emerging talent with established leaders in the field.

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Liem’s commitment to supporting students extends beyond networking opportunities. Through the International Photographic Council, he also helps promote the James L. Chung Memorial Scholarship, which recognizes promising student photographers and provides financial assistance while encouraging professional development.

This year, one of the scholarship recipients came from RIT.

Brody Xavier Carlson, a fourth-year fine art photography student from Shawnee, Kansas, was selected as one of four recipients of the prestigious scholarship. The award helped cover part of his tuition and also allowed him to participate in an IPC and Zeiss Lens master class, followed by a photography competition.

Carlson earned third place in the contest, with the results announced during the annual United Nations luncheon, making the experience even more memorable.

“Being surrounded by all these great photographers who are sharing their work and legacies was eye-opening. I could see my own future in them,” said Carlson, from Shawnee, Kan. “It’s been a great opportunity to find a community of photographers I can reach out to so I can learn how the industry really works.”

For Carlson, the experience provided more than recognition. It opened the door to relationships with photographers who have spent years building successful careers and offered valuable insight into the realities of working in the profession.

Liem has also found another way to support RIT students by partnering with one of the university’s creative programs. Rather than hiring an outside agency, he selected Command+G, RIT’s student-run full-service design studio, to redesign and rebuild the International Photographic Council’s website.

The collaboration gave students the opportunity to work on a real-world project for an international organization, allowing them to apply their skills while building professional portfolios. After seeing the quality of the work produced during the initial phase of the project, Liem hopes to continue working with the design studio as the website enters its next stage of development.

His continued investment in RIT students reflects a desire to create lasting opportunities for young creatives rather than simply celebrating their achievements from afar.
“I want to make sure that these young creatives and storytellers all have the opportunity to tell their stories and show their talents,” said Liem.

By combining industry leadership with a commitment to education, Liem is helping today’s RIT students gain experiences that could shape their own careers—just as his time at the university helped shape his decades ago.