[AllStarPhotography]

Define portable?

Portable 1 - you shoot indoors, but not in one steady location

Portable 2 - you shoot where ever, not always having access to AC power

Portable 3 - thinking of using hot shoe mountable flashes for size and power issues

Assuming you are thinking of strobes rather then hot lights . . .

What is your $$$$ range?

Personally, I started with an Alien Bee on craigs list, picked up a softbox on ebay, and started learning. I can't knock it.

I also picked up a set of the "chinese lights" you see on ebay for around $300 bucks for the set of 3 lights, backdrops, etc.

I've also rented from Penn Camera for a "Battery powered shoot"

So, what are you looking to do?