Few weeks ago, wifey asked me to do a quick headshot/passport photo .... Her suggested equipment was her Moto Droid X2 cellphone...
After a few extremely failed attempts do it (evening, artificial lighting only and cream colored walls) I gave up and said I know a much better way
Whipped out my trusty Nikon d40 with SB-400 flash, 55-200mm cheap lens set at about 100-110mm. Ceiling bounced flash. Wow - World of difference !!
Well, I'm not a photo pro, but damn - I feel proud of that shot..
Lesson - you don't have to have super pricey stuff to get to 90% result of what pro's do