DO NOT USE FLASH FOR CONTENT. Ugh. Horrible advice. Use Javascript.
I'm going to preface that I've been coding websites since 2002. A few tips:
1. Use Wordpress. It's well-rounded with just about the most friendly interface out there and there are a billion plug-ins for the software. I've built 6-7 sites using the software and it's great for simple sites.
2. Do not use GoDaddy. They suck. This is coming from someone who first opened a GoDaddy account in 2002. Every host will play nice with Wordpress so don't let that influence your decision. I moved to KnownHost but I think they only do larger hosting packages.
3. You can pull a template for Wordpress from one of thousands on their site. One of them should work for your needs just fine. Don't give much thought to hiring someone to design a portfolio site. It's not necessary.
Or check out my new webcomic: http://selfcentent.com/
