I'll take this one...
Nikon D-100 all the way. No ifs, ands, or buts....
For 1k and under... Nikon D-100! It is a pro SLR that will handle any job you will need to do. It will take pristine shots and is very easy to work. I'd say it's just like a Busa. Yes, there are higher end cameras now... but for that price you CANNOT go wrong with the D-100. I have used this camera since 2003 and it has never given me a problem at all.
You can find the camera body for around 500-700 now (original list price was 2k body only). For individual/portrait type shots you only need to get a 35-70mm zoom lens for it. That will get the job done nicely. Nikon Digital is the way to go in my opinion. I'm a photographer, too. We use Nikon D-100, D-200, and also a Fuji S2Pro. We also have a Nikon F6 35mm we use when clients call for film. The Nikon cameras are by far the best and most reliable out there from my experience. Canon also makes very nice camera systems, but I'm a Nikon man... just like I'm a Suzuki man.
For excellent performance, ease of use, incredible images... Nikon is the way to go (in my humble and experienced opinion)....
Here's a shot of my Nikon N90s film camera... and yeah, Nikon digital cameras work with their film cameras as far as interchangeable lenses go. It's also what makes Nikon so special. A good site for you to look at is
www.keh.com for used Nikon systems.
Another note: that flash you see on my film camera is one that was used on a D-100 (best for outdoor work because it's not so bright) and it works incredibly well with my Nikon film camera for indoor and outdoor work. I guess I can't say enough about Nikon... just like I can't say enough about my Busa!!!!
PHOTO TIP 101: While shooting digital... use the 160 or 200 iso because that will give you the "portrait" look you're looking for. Just get a D-100 because that is in your price range and it IS what you need to get the job done.... and always shoot "darker" because an underexposed digital photo is easier to correct than an overexposed one. With digital, what you shoot is what you get pretty much. It's less forgiving than film.... remember that.
Again, good luck out there. Photography is a rough biz...!!!