Yes—but evolved. Boardwalk Entertainment began as Boardwalk Photo Booth Company—with one vintage Model 14 and a passion for capturing real moments with real photo booths. Shawn stepped away from DJing for a few years to help Carolyn fine-tune the photo booth business and turn it into a well-oiled machine.

As the business grew, clients who had read Shawn's reviews—or remembered him from past weddings—started asking if he still DJ’d. The requests kept coming, and the demand to bring it all together just made sense.

So that's exactly what we did, and Boardwalk Entertainment was born. Today, we’ve got a full fleet of vintage and modern booths, plus our DJ and lighting services. The commitment to quality, attention to detail, and personalized service that defined Boardwalk Photo Booth Company remains at the heart of Boardwalk Entertainment.

Same energy, same hands-on approach—just more ways to help you throw a great party.

✔ Experienced & Reliable: With decades of industry expertise, Shawn, Carolyn, and the entire Boardwalk Entertainment team ensure every event runs seamlessly.

✔ More Than Just a DJ: Services like photo booth rentals and uplighting can be booked individually or bundled together for a complete experience.

✔ Highest-Rated Photo Booths: Over the past 15 years, Boardwalk Entertainment has earned more 5-star reviews on The Knot and WeddingWire than any other photo booth company in Virginia — something we’re incredibly grateful for. Our custom-built booths have become a favorite across Hampton Roads, delivering one-of-a-kind experiences and professional photo quality guests genuinely love.

✔ Tailored to You: No two events are the same! We work closely with clients to bring their unique vision to life.

Proudly serving the Hampton Roads community, and beyond, Boardwalk Entertainment is committed to making every event a truly special occasion—whether it’s a wedding, corporate event, or private party.

Shawn isn’t just a DJ—he’s a bit of a crowd whisperer, blending professionalism with an easygoing energy that keeps the dance floor moving. With over three decades in the industry and the latest sound & lighting equipment, he’s become a trusted name known for smooth emceeing, sharp music instincts, and a talent for reading the room.

His music library spans every genre, allowing him to craft a playlist that fits the moment and the people in it. But what really sets Shawn apart is his attention to detail—he takes the time to understand the vibe you’re going for and makes sure it feels just right from start to finish.

That commitment was recently recognized in the 2026 Best Of Coastal Virginia Weddings, where Shawn earned Silver for Best Wedding DJ in Southside Hampton Roads. With more than 30 local DJs nominated, it was an honor to be voted among the very best—a reflection of the couples who’ve trusted Boardwalk with their big day and the energy Shawn brings to every celebration.

Whether it’s a wedding, reunion, corporate event, or private party, DJ Shawn Cox brings experience, polish, and a genuine touch that ties the whole night together.

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It’s not uncommon to see DJs in Hampton Roads offering some sort of “photo booth” add-on these days. In many cases, those setups are basic tablet systems with no prints, no host, and poor lighting.

It’s not a specialty...it's an upsell.

Boardwalk was built different.

When Shawn stepped away from DJing back in 2010, he and Carolyn focused on building a real photo booth company from the ground up. That meant designing custom booths, selecting professional-grade gear, dialing in the lighting, and personally training a small, trusted team to deliver the kind of experience clients and guests actually remember.

A few years later, after building a fleet of photo booths and a business running at full speed, Shawn returned to the mix at the request of our clients. He brought decades of DJ experience into a photo booth company that was already well established. It wasn’t about offering more. It was about doing both things the right way.

This isn’t just a package deal. It’s two services we’ve spent years perfecting, designed to work together and delivered with consistency, attention to detail, and style.

That’s what sets Boardwalk Entertainment apart. It’s not just what we do. It’s how we do it.

Boardwalk Entertainment began with a single Model 14 photo booth. At the time, there weren’t other photo booth companies in the area, and the goal was simple: deliver the classic enclosed photo booth experience people expect in a way that works for real events.

As interest grew, that one booth became two, then three, and eventually a full fleet. The Model 14 became the foundation of the business and helped define Boardwalk’s approach from the very beginning.

We designed and built our Model 14 booths as faithful reproductions inspired by iconic vintage photo booths. From the wood grain exterior and velvet curtains to the sit-down, enclosed experience inside, they capture the look, feel, and rhythm of a traditional photo booth while remaining practical for modern events.

As the industry shifted toward smaller, lighter, and more portable setups meant to replace traditional booths, we chose to stay the course. The Model 14 was designed to feel substantial and intentional. Part of the appeal has always been that moment when guests see it and wonder how it even made it into the room.

Fast forward more than 15 years, and our vintage-style photo booths are more popular than ever. The Model 14 has remained part of Boardwalk Entertainment’s lineup, appearing at celebrations across the region. Its familiar design and timeless presence continue to make it a natural fit for weddings and occasions where presentation and authenticity matter.

The Coney joined the Boardwalk Entertainment lineup in 2025 as another take on the classic enclosed photo booth experience.

We came across The Coney in Chicago, a city closely tied to the history of vintage photo booths, and it immediately stood out. It incorporates real parts from vintage photo booths, giving it weight, character, and a connection to the kinds of booths people remember from boardwalks and amusement parks decades ago. That connection is also where The Coney gets its name. We knew it had a place in our lineup in Hampton Roads.

From the outside, The Coney looks more like a piece of décor than a piece of equipment. Inside, the experience stays simple and familiar. Guests step in, adjust the spinning pan seat, pull the curtain, catch their reflection in the glass in front of the camera, and wait for the flash. They don’t see the photos until the strips print, and that moment of anticipation is part of the experience. The result: classic photo strips produced with the same professional lighting, print quality, and digital access found across all Boardwalk photo booths.

The Coney is often chosen by those seeking the closest thing to a true vintage photo booth experience available in Virginia.

While vintage-style photo booths have always been at the heart of what we do, we also recognized that some events called for a more open format—so we built the Beacon photo booths to meet that need without compromising Boardwalk quality.

Ringo, Pixie, and Halo offer a different take on the photo booth experience. While our enclosed vintage-style booths bring a more private, sit-down feel, the open format creates a different kind of energy—one that works especially well for larger groups and lets people see and enjoy the action as it happens.

Each booth is built around an integrated Canon DSLR camera, paired with a studio-grade strobe flash for sharp detail and flattering results. A built-in glam filter, ring light, customizable LED accent glow, and clean touchscreen interface round out the setup. The result is a level of image quality that typical open-style setups simply can’t match. Guests walk away with gorgeous printed photo strips and instant digital downloads.

These open-style booths are purpose-built for real events—often chosen by clients who want a sleek, contemporary setup or simply need more friends in the frame, without sacrificing photo quality or the overall experience.

Both our vintage enclosed booths and modern open-style booths offer an incredible photo booth experience—it just depends on the vibe you’re going for!

Our vintage-style enclosed booths bring a classic, nostalgic feel with their rich wood grain exteriors and velvet curtains, offering a more private and intimate photo-taking experience.

Our open-style Beacon Booths provide a sleek, modern twist, allowing for larger group photos and letting guests see the fun.

Either style features excellent studio lighting and seamless digital sharing, so guests can take home their printed photo strips and instantly download their pictures as well.

No matter which style you choose, you’re guaranteed high-quality photos, an effortless experience, and plenty of fun. Whether you’re drawn to the timeless charm of an enclosed booth or the larger available space of an open booth, you can’t go wrong!

Absolutely! Our photo booths are all about instant digital fun. Whether you’re stepping into one of our classic Model 14 vintage-style booths or posing with our sleek Beacon Booths, sharing your photos is quick and effortless. Guests can instantly email their pictures, making it easy to upload and share on Facebook, Instagram, and beyond. And the best part? Our digital sharing system works outside the booth, so the next guests can jump right in and keep the party going—no delays, just nonstop fun!

Yes! All of our photo booths give guests the option to print in color or black & white before each session. If you have a preference, we can also program the booth to print only one style for a consistent look.

Additional fun options like sepia and pencil sketch are available, but color and black & white remain the most popular choices for timeless, high-quality prints.

Absolutely! Our Boardwalk Scrapbook Guest Book Service is included free with every wedding booking. We provide a beautifully crafted scrapbook, and our team assists guests in adding their photo strips and personal messages—some heartfelt, some hilarious (depending on how the night unfolds). It’s a one-of-a-kind keepsake filled with memories you’ll love flipping through for years to come!

We believe everyone should get in on the fun! Our photo booths print two copies of each photo strip by default—one for your guests to keep and one for your scrapbook (if included). If guests want extra copies, we’re happy to print them for free on the spot. And with instant digital sharing, they can also download and share their photos right away!

We certainly do! Every photo booth rental includes a premium prop trunk at NO CHARGE—because the best photos deserve the best props! We source many of our high-quality props from the same supplier that provides props for Universal Studios and Walt Disney theme parks, ensuring a top-tier experience for your guests.

From quirky hats and oversized glasses to themed accessories, our collection adds a touch of personality and creativity to every photo booth session. Whether guests go for something classic, silly, or completely outrageous, they’ll have a blast striking a pose!

Absolutely! Every event is unique, and your photo strips should be too. Our in-house graphic design team creates a custom logo for FREE, designed to perfectly match your event theme, wedding style, or company branding. Whether you’re envisioning something elegant and timeless, bold and modern, or completely one-of-a-kind, we tailor every detail to reflect your vision.

Prefer something simple? We've got you covered! We also offer a selection of beautifully designed templates to choose from, so you can pick a style you love without overthinking it.

Whether fully custom or effortlessly stylish, your photo strips will look amazing either way!

Of course! Every photo booth booking is run by a trusted Boardwalk Entertainment host. We’ve built our team with people we personally know and trust to bring great energy and top-notch service, ensuring everything runs smoothly and your guests have an amazing time!

Absolutely! After your event, every photo strip, individual image, and video GIF is uploaded to a password-protected online gallery, giving you and your guests FREE access to high-resolution downloads—because great memories should be safe, accessible, and yours to keep forever. No watermarks, no hidden fees, just crisp, clear photos ready to be shared.

Click here to check out all of our past events...yours could be next!

Absolutely! If the party is still rocking and you’re not ready for the fun to end, just let your Boardwalk Entertainment host know. We’re happy to arrange overtime on the spot so you and your guests can keep making memories!

Great question! Every vendor you hire should be fully insured, and we’re glad you asked. Boardwalk Entertainment carries a $2,000,000 liability insurance policy, giving you peace of mind that you’re working with a professional, reputable company. Our certificate of liability is available upon request—just let us know, and we’ll be happy to provide it!

We bring the fun to Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Newport News, Williamsburg, Cape Charles, and even the Outer Banks—all with no travel fees. Got a destination beyond that? No problem! Our amazing reviews and unique services often lead us to venues far, far away. We’ll happily go the extra mile, with only reasonable fees to cover lodging and travel expenses.

If the party’s calling, we’re there! Check out this Insta post from one of our weddings at Mountain Lake Lodge in Pembroke, VA—one of the main filming locations for the movie Dirty Dancing!

We’re consumers ourselves, and we believe great service should come standard. It shouldn’t be something you have to unlock through add-ons.

That’s why our pricing is clear and upfront. The things that matter most, like professional hosts, studio-quality lighting, custom design, free prints, and digital sharing, are already part of the experience, not line items added later.

You won’t see teaser pricing or low “starting at” numbers here. Our quotes reflect the full service we actually deliver, so there are no surprises on the back end.

Just real pricing, real service, and an experience that matches what you thought you were booking.

Our DJ and photo booth pricing isn’t one-size-fits-all because every event is unique! Costs vary based on factors like date, venue, and specific needs, and we’re all about providing the best experience with clear, upfront pricing. No hidden fees, no unnecessary extras—just a custom quote built around what matters most to you. Want numbers? Click the "Get a Quote" button down there, send over the details, and we’ll get back to you with pricing right away!

Locking in your event is a breeze! Just hit the red button below, drop us your event details, and we’ll send over pricing and info tailored just for you. Ready to make it official? A signed agreement and non-refundable retainer are all it takes to secure your date. Plus, we keep payments easy—Venmo, Zelle, and all major credit cards accepted.