It doesn't matter how "good" the photos are in terms of your hair, makeup and smile. What matters is that the comply with the photo regulations (so they are the right size with your head in the right position and so on). I didn't go to the best studio on London, I stood my wife in front of the fridge and took the photo with a cheapie point and shoot camera. That photo was accepted and she was selected!! Don't spend a lot of money, just read the instructions carefully.
Haha, that's funny but if it works it works. The issue is in some of our countries down here you want to be sure that the studio has experience in these things. When i was returning my DV 2014 forms, we went to a studio we had used for 2013 but they didn't come out right. We took them and paid but we went to another studio where the size came out right but the color was just so weird. Only hubby and i went to a 3rd studio another day. We ended up picking and choosing what looked good from either batch for the kids. It can be that terrible.