A friend and I acquired a couple of $25 shimpaku nursery stock subjects this past spring and let them grow all season. Amidst the current PNW cold snap and cabin fever, decided to style them up.
I think #2 has the better trunk wiring and #1 the better foliage layout.
For a first styling, I'd go for #2 because in the long run there's more options to explore compared to #1.
I’ve picked up a handful from @Eric Schrader on his site bonsaify.com … they have been vigorous and high quality. The one in my avatar is a cutting I got from him last winter (post stying obviously)