I use epassport.com

Take your picture against a white background with enough lumination (flash light). Upload the image to that website and they will return a 4" X 6" image with 6 passport-size photos. You just print it out from your photo printer. Go to Staples and get a rotary trimmer and cut these photos (if you are good at using scissors, fine!). I used such photos for my applications. No problems whatsoever.

I used to go to a local photo shop for passport photos. It was 40 some bucks for my wife and I, and I got sick of that. A total rip off. It may be acceptable for passports because you don't do it frequently. But for us, this savings means something. And the best part, you can shoot as many pictures as you want and pick out the best one for uploading.