Personally to me the best overall cameras for what you want to do are going to be your DSLR cameras. You can go to the web site and filter to DSLR.
I would confidentally then recommend any of the Sony, Nikon or Canon cameras. I know a lot of people get prejudiced towards one brand or the other. But I think you would be really hard pressed to see the difference in the results of any of those three cameras in the same price ranges.
I personlay use Nikon and I am very happy with it.
If your find your taking a lot of portraits many photographers will recommend looking into a Prime Lens. A prime lens is one that has a fixed focal length.
If you look at the cameras many of them come as a kit. For what you described what you want to do I would not get one that only has a big zoom like a 75 to 300mm zoom
Either of these would be great starter cameras. Then you can separatly purchase a prime lens.
Canon Rebel
Nikon
Sony
One important factor to keep in mind is once you pick a brand you are going to want to stick with it. I know I have a lot more money invested in Nikon Lenses and accessories than my camera cost in the first place.
So before you decide look around at different lenses and accessories you may want.
Another item you may want to consider is an external flash. Photos will almost always turn out better with a flash.
I have shot several events for my friends and even outside in daylight I will use a flash. Keeps shadows out of faces.
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