Honestly I started out with my iPhone 5s. What matters is you get the right lighting. That's why I made some homemade diffusers and soft boxes.
Then if you start feeling more comfortable, that's when you start getting the more expensive stuff. I think my Canon Rebel T5i is one of the cheaper good ones
I think any of Canon's Rebel cameras are a good place to start
Thanks for the recommendation. I'll look into them.