ORLANDO, Fla. – In the heart of Parramore, Ride the Wave (RTW) Photography is redefining what it means to be a creative business rooted in community, representation, and opportunity.
Founded by Tre Idelette, Lavell Monger, and Derrious Robinson, RTW emerged from humble beginnings in a garage in 2020.
“It started at a very young age. Growing up, you don’t see too many photography companies in the city, let alone in communities like Parramore,” said Monger. “Having a photography studio that’s accessible to families was important.”
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The founders, all millennials and people of color, are intentional about serving their neighborhood.
“It was pivotal for us to be in a community with individuals that look like us,” Idelette said. “We wanted to build something greater than just one individual photographer.”
RTW’s studio now hosts everything from graduation shoots to holiday family portraits, becoming a trusted space for local families to celebrate milestones.
“Some of our clients have come back and had multiple experiences, and we’ve been able to get multiple moments with them,” Monger said. “It’s always great to see our clients come back year after year and to see how their families have grown.”
A core part of RTW’s mission is delivering professional quality and representation for clients of all backgrounds.
“One thing that kept consistently popping up was lighting—making sure folks of darker skin tones, like ours, weren’t washed out or looking too dark,” said Idelette. “That’s when we knew there was a real need for our services.”
RTW also invests in the next generation of creatives. The founders regularly mentor and provide internships to students from nearby UCF and Valencia College.
“We had an intern who was so persistent—he called, emailed, even knocked on our door,” Monger recalled. “Now, he has a studio of his own and is doing amazing things. Stories like that show the importance of having something in the proximity of people. Our community can become what they can see and believe in.”
Despite none of the founders having formal backgrounds in photography— degrees in accounting, engineering, anthropology and higher education—their passion and commitment have built a thriving business focused on capturing memories and empowering Parramore.
“We want to make sure everyone can look their best and feel seen,” Idelette said. “This is something that was birthed out of passion and opportunity.”
Ride the Wave Photography continues to grow, proving that with vision and community spirit, creative businesses can make a lasting impact.