Opinions on this WP based idea...
 

So I'm building a kind of online portfolio site similar to sites like ModelMayhem etc. Basically a site that photographers / models / artists can upload some samples of their work, create a simple profile page and write blogs should they want to.

I've got the method down to 2 options.

Option 1 - A single site install with each member being a standard user. I have developed a script that allows users to upload images and edit their profiles via the theme template (As oppose to having to visit the dashboard) and I know there are a couple of decent plugins for in theme post editing.

Option 2 - A multisite setup. Each member has their own blog (And more importantly subdomain). Every blog in the network will run the same theme to keep things consistent and the profile editing and image uploads will be done via theme options. The only drawback being they have to visit the dashboard to edit things (Which loses the consistency of the template design)

I really don't want to use BuddyPress (I've never been a fan of it to be honest) or any other "Community Plugin" so these are the 2 main options I'm going for

I keep swaying from one side to the other on which would be best, so I would appreciate some honest feedback if any of you have any.

Thanks in advance guys

Mmm, I'd probably actually do this with Drupal as opposed to WP or BP. There are a ton of directory modules already available for this with Drupal and they are easily customisable.

I've done this for a model directory site her ein the UK and it's in beta at the moment with some invited models, togs, mua etc.

I thought of Drupal, but to be honest I wouldn't know where to start. I'm a WP developer by trade so I know the ins and outs of it and how to make it super secure, etc and I want to possibly include a blog feature for all members, which obviously WP would be better suited for