Bets affordable portrait camera for pro photography?

I'm getting into pro photography. I have been told to start with a Nikon D5000 by someone who started with the same and worked their way up. Does anyone agree with this or have a better suggestion?

"I'm getting into pro photography"

What exactly is that meant to mean?

If you were getting "into" pro photography it would mean that you have spent a good few years honing your skills and knowledge of equipment etc and therefore would know what you would need for portraits.

I think what you mean is you want to buy a Dslr to start taking amateur portraits.
For that then the d5000 or any of the current crop of Dslrs is fine for you.

Sure. Go for it. You will find that the lens and lighting are far, far, far more important than the camera, once you get a good enough camera. Of course, if you don't know this already, you are a far, far, far way away from being able to really call yourself a pro.

The camera you use is not nearly as important as the lens used and the lighting setups.

The D5000 is a fine camera and can produce excellent portraits only if the photographer has the necessary skills needed to light the subjects and direct them into pleasing poses.

The lens you will need for your D5000 would either be the Nikkor 50 mm f/1.8 or better a 24-70 mm f/2.8

Here is how you light portraits. As you will see, you will need at least two lights, but eventually more.

https://vimeo.com/...os/2211772

That'll do.

Any entry DLSR camera will do just fine.

However, it takes more than just a camera. You'll need to learn how to use it properly to take good portraits. Buying a good camera does not guarantee good photos.

BTW, you are not looking for a pro camera, the D5000 is an entry level camera, not a pro camera.

I'm assuming that you mean "pro photography" as in using a DSLR, as oppose to making money from photography.

Basically any DSLR today is an awesome portrait camera. Think long and hard about your lens strategy (what to buy, and why, upgrade lens later?). Do not fall into the trap of believing that its all about the camera body. Go check Flickr, you'd be hard pressed to tell which camera body was used without looking at the metadata.

I started with a 40D and the 24-105L instead of getting the kit lens because I prefer to buy my lens once. I still use the 40D today as my only camera, despite the advancement of cameras.

If you plan to seriously commit to photography, like I have, I'd suggest getting the best camera body today that you can afford. If you're going with Nikon, work your way down from their pro-level camera until you can afford it. This is only if you're the type of person who plan to use that camera body for a long time until you see a noticeably change in camera technology that justifies getting yet another body (this doesn't include backups). Do this after identifying the best starting lens that you can afford that will be paired with the camera body. You may find that 5+ years later your camera is still delivering awesome photos and as you improved in your photography you found the extra bells and whistles of your camera more useful.