Recommended by Elysanta Photography

The gear I use.No blind purchases.

Gear tested on real food, portrait and content productions. An honest selection to help you create more and buy smarter.

Explore the gear How I choose my gear
Tested on setChosen with intentionDirect links
The
real
kit.
My recommendation / 01Nikon Z 6II
Macro / 02NIKKOR Z MC 105mm
Light / 03Profoto A1X for Nikon

less noise.
better decisions.

The problem isn't a lack of gear.

It's knowing what truly deserves a place in your kit.

I've already put it to the test.

Photographer with compact gear and a motorcycle working on a coastal road
Born to create anywhere.One bag. Anywhere. Light with intention.

A definition by Eli Santa

punk shot gear

/pʌŋk ʃɑt ɡɪr/

noun · creative attitude

The gear—and attitude—of a photographer who challenges the status quo: a light, mobile and versatile kit designed to produce studio-quality work anywhere.

It's not about collecting gear. It's about carrying freedom.

To me, Punk Shot Gear represents the generation of photographers who turned portable technology into creative freedom. Small digital cameras, lightweight lenses and battery-powered flashes fit in a single bag, yet let us get out, chase an idea and build professional light anywhere.

It's counterculture applied to the craft: stepping beyond the familiar set, pushing boundaries and making images with a voice of your own.

“A punk photographer doesn't wait for the perfect set. They show up, master the light and make the shot anywhere.”

— Eli Santa

ELI SANTA / YOUR GUIDE

Commercial, food advertisement & lifestyle photographer

Buy with purpose

Less accumulated gear.
More tools that get it done.

I've spent years producing images for clients and creating on all kinds of sets. This isn't a list of the latest releases; it's a selection of tools I know, understand and use for a clear purpose.

01Real-world useRecommended from experience, not a spec sheet.
02Clear purposeEvery piece should solve a specific problem in your process.
03Intentional buyingThe best kit supports the work you actually want to do.
Cover of the Spanish e-book The Right Lens Before the Expensive Lens
18pages
5key lenses

Free guide · Professional edition · In Spanish

Buy the right lens before the expensive one.

A practical roadmap for building your food photography kit without sacrificing your business's cash flow.

  • 01What to buy first and when to upgrade.
  • 021:1 macro, close focusing and depth of field.
  • 03Crop vs. full frame explained with real equivalents.
  • 04Uses for food, drinks, portraits, restaurants and kitchens.

By requesting it, you agree to receive educational content from Eli Santa. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Interactive quizSpecialized lens assessment

Discover your next lens for food photography.

Tell us about your camera, the ranges you already own and the photos you can't achieve today.

You'll get a focal range recommendation—or honest confirmation that you don't need to buy yet.

08 questions0 brands1 personalized result
The right lens before the expensive lens.

The kit, by purpose

Find what
your process needs.

CamerasLensesLightingSupport & riggingWorkflow & location
01

The starting point

Cameras

My hands-on experience with the Nikon Z system includes the Z6, Z7, Z6 II and Z7 II. For a versatile, reliable and proven camera, my top recommendation is the Z6 II.

Swipe to explore
Nikon Z 7II — full-frame mirrorless camera

Nikon Z 7II

When detail and resolution matter to the final deliverable, this body gives me the room I need.

View on Amazon
02

Where vision takes shape

Lenses

You don't need twenty lenses. You need the ones that solve your kind of work. This selection covers everything from everyday production to precision macro.

Swipe to explore
VersatileNIKKOR Z 24–200mm VR — all-in-one zoom

NIKKOR Z 24–200mm VR

My practical lens for moving fast and covering different perspectives with a single piece in the bag.

View on Amazon
NIKKOR Z 24–70mm f/4 S — standard zoom

NIKKOR Z 24–70mm f/4 S

A range that handles so much. I recommend it for consistent portraits, food photography and commercial work.

View on Amazon
NewNIKKOR Z 70–180mm f/2.8 — fast telephoto zoom

NIKKOR Z 70–180mm f/2.8

A fast telephoto that gives me reach and flexibility for portraits, events and details without weighing down the kit.

View on Amazon
NIKKOR Z MC 50mm f/2.8 — macro lens

NIKKOR Z MC 50mm f/2.8

Compact and close: excellent for the product and food details that make an image feel tangible.

View on Amazon
Favorite macroNIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S — macro lens

NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S

My recommendation when I want detail, separation and a comfortable perspective for product or food photography.

View on Amazon
03

Light is the language

Lighting

The camera records; light tells the story. These tools help me control shape, shine, texture and atmosphere.

Swipe to explore
Nikon flashProfoto A1X for Nikon — AirTTL flash

Profoto A1X for Nikon

A fast, reliable flash for on- or off-camera work, with AirTTL, HSS and round light with natural falloff.

View on Amazon
Profoto Clic Softbox Octa 2.7 ft

Profoto Clic Softbox Octa

It helps me get soft, flattering light with a simple setup when the pace of the session matters.

View on Amazon
Profoto Deep Silver Umbrella — 51 in

Profoto Deep Silver Umbrella

A modifier I use to shape light with character, contrast and the punch that brings a scene to life.

View on Amazon
Meking 3-in-1 — folding reflectors

Meking 3-in-1 Reflector

A simple way to add, subtract or redirect light in food photography without filling the set with gear.

View on Amazon
RALENO 9 in — camera and desktop LED light

RALENO 9 in LED

A small, useful light for content, video calls or close-up scenes where I need immediate control.

View on Amazon
04

The set that works with you

Support & rigging

The invisible gear matters too. These supports keep the camera, lights and screens where they belong so you can create.

Swipe to explore
Set foundationVanguard Alta Pro 2+ 263AT — tripod with head

Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ 263AT

A stable base for composing carefully and repeating precise framing in product photography or portraits.

View on Amazon
Vanguard Alta GH-300T — tripod grip head

Vanguard Alta GH-300T

It lets me adjust the camera position quickly when a session calls for constant reframing.

View on Amazon
Light controlWestcott Shorty Offset Arm 8 in — flash extension

Westcott Shorty Offset Arm

A small piece that lets me offset the flash and position the light more precisely when the stand needs a little extra reach.

View on Amazon
Manfrotto 490 Centre Ball Head — tripod head

Manfrotto 490 Ball Head

A straightforward ball head for fine-tuning the camera angle and placing the frame exactly where I need it.

View on Amazon
mantona 31cm — tripod extension arm

mantona 31cm Boom Arm

Adds reach in small spaces and helps me position gear over the set without getting in the composition.

View on Amazon
Wimberley PP-200 Plamp II — articulated clamp

Wimberley PP-200 Plamp II

An articulated helper for holding small elements where I need them and keeping my hands free during the shot.

View on Amazon
SmallRig 2926 — Nikon Z cage

SmallRig Cage for Nikon Z

A solid foundation for turning the camera into an organized rig and adding accessories without improvised mounts.

View on Amazon
NEEWER — adjustable tablet holder

NEEWER Tablet Holder

Perfect for keeping references, tethering or controls in view without sacrificing space on set.

View on Amazon
05

After the shot

Workflow & location

A good kit also protects your gear, backs up your work and takes care of you. These pieces make a real difference in and out of the studio.

Swipe to explore
WorkflowSanDisk Extreme Portable SSD — 4TB

SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD 4TB

Portable space for moving and backing up projects. Because the workflow doesn't end when you put the camera down.

View on Amazon
JISULIFE — portable neck fan

JISULIFE Neck Fan

On a hot production day, comfort belongs in the kit too. A small detail that makes a big difference on location.

View on Amazon
Everyday kitPeak Design Everyday Backpack 30L — camera backpack

Peak Design Everyday Backpack 30L

An organized backpack for carrying a camera, lenses and laptop with quick access when the production is on the move.

View on Amazon
ProtectionPelican 1510 — case with padded dividers

Pelican 1510 Case

Serious protection for transporting delicate gear and arriving on set with every piece safe and in place.

View on Amazon
Mobile tethering setup with a Nikon camera connected directly to an iPhone using Capture One MobileSTUDIO / LOCATION / iPHONE
Capture One

My mobile tethering workflow

A connected set.
Without hauling the studio.

I love this setup for working tethered, in the studio or on location, directly from my iPhone with the new Capture One app. It's compact, lightweight and does exactly what I need.

View the setup on Amazon Capture One Mobile

The pieces of the workflow

Everything you need.
Nothing extra.

Swipe to explore
Editorial photography collage with the text Photo Software — Trusted by the BestPersonal recommendation · Not sponsored
Capture One

Software is part of the gear too

One workflow.
On every screen.

I use the complete Capture One system: desktop for production and color work, iPad for reviewing and editing on the go, and the mobile app for tethering directly from my iPhone.

Although I'm proficient in Adobe Lightroom and recognize it as a solid tool, I prefer Capture One for how easily it integrates tethering into my workflow, especially when I want to travel light in the studio or on location.

Discover Capture One
Transparency

This recommendation is based on my professional experience. Capture One and Adobe do not sponsor this section.

The kit that always comes with me

Ready for the shot
that appears without warning.

I always carry the Peak Design Everyday Sling 10L with the little things that keep me creative: the Nikon Z7 II, a 40mm and a 28mm. It's a compact kit with the resolution and quality to photograph whatever comes along, crop freely and turn those moments into images I can upload to Adobe Stock.

Nikon Z7 II45.7 MPNIKKOR Z 40 mmCompact primeNIKKOR Z 28 mmLight and wide
View my on-the-go kit on Amazon
Photographer wearing a compact crossbody sling and taking out a Nikon mirrorless camera with a prime lensPeak Design Everyday Sling 10L / ready to create
Ultra-wide view of a gala dinner in a convention center with round tables, tall arrangements, a stage and lights

My event coverage kit

Two cameras. Two perspectives.
No missed moments.

This is the system I bring when a convention, corporate event or weekend retreat calls for moving fast and telling the whole story.

View the complete kit on Amazon
Swipe to explore
Nikon camera, laptop and backpack on a desk in a photography classroom

GEAR FOR STUDENTS

Getting started in photography? Start here.

A selection for those beginning their photography journey. It includes affordable gear, essential tools, books that helped me early on and Nikon options I confidently recommend.

View recommended student gear →
Swipe to explore
Food stylist preparing a plate on a studio table filled with props and styling tools

Food & prop styling

The kit behind
a delicious image.

Props, surfaces and tools to build a scene with intention, care for every detail and make food look as good as it tastes.

Build your food styling kit

Inside the bag

Small tools.
Big differences.

A practical selection for making adjustments, building texture and keeping the set under control.

View the complete kit
Swipe to explore

Your next step

From “what should I buy?”
to “this is what I need.”

01

Define your work

Think about the images and productions you want to create now.

02

Explore by purpose

Find the tool that solves the real bottleneck.

03

Buy with intention

Go to Amazon, check availability and add only what brings value.

Your best work doesn't start with more gear.

It starts with the right gear.

View the full list on Amazon Curated by Eli Santa · Elysanta Photography

Get into creative mode

Tees for those who
create for a living.

A selection for photographers, entrepreneurs and creators who wear their ideas.

View all on Amazon
Swipe to explore

The Elysanta library

Books to think,
communicate and sell.

Books I have listened to that have shaped how I create, connect and build value.

View all on Amazon
Swipe to explore
View all on Amazon
Portrait of Eli Santa, photographer and founder of Elysanta Photography20 years creating images that communicate.

Photographer · creator · curious

About Eli Santa

Eli Samuel Santa is a commercial and advertising photographer, founder of Elysanta Photography and the person behind Punkshot Gear.

With 20 years of experience, he has worked with brands, restaurants and companies in Puerto Rico on food, product, lifestyle and campaign photography. Punkshot Gear grew from that real-world experience: sharing the tools that help him solve problems, move freely and create images that communicate value.

“Living fills us with inspiration to create. This is nothing other than worship.”
Learn more about Eli

Clients

1:1 Mentorship

Elysanta Creative · Mentorship 1:1

One-on-one creative mentorship reviewing food photography in a studio

Gear solves one part.
Judgment takes practice.

Work directly with Eli on a technical skill, a business decision or your project's next step. Mentorships are available for students, emerging creatives, professionals and ongoing monthly support.

Request your 1:1 mentorship By application · Remote · From Puerto Rico

Perspectives · Elysanta Blog

The thinking behind the gear

Gear, process and creativity from Eli Santa's practice. Ideas for choosing tools, refining your vision and growing as a photographer.

Swipe to see more articles →

View all articles on Elysanta Blog →
View list on Amazon