Riley Patrick McIlwaine graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2017 with a Bachelor's Degree in Cinema Studies. His career trajectory shifted soon after, joining a touring band in Tampa, Florida, where he would continue to hone his skills as a videographer and creative strategist. In the year 2022, Riley sought out Petrichor Mushrooms; a local-to-Florida team consisting of two founders - Micheal Shea and Howard Schmidt. It was clear their creative visions and ethos aligned and he soon began working with the company as a freelancer. In 2023, Riley became an official member of Petrichor Mushrooms as videographer and Assistant Creative Director.