I successfully went through multiple USA visa applications providing print-outs of (smartphone) photographs of my passport pages, which I believe is what you are describing.
In my case, I took the photographs once, via a Google Drive mobile app that creates a PDF file, and then stored the PDF and printed from it (on a variety of printers, generally in black-and-white) as required.
So yes, at least in the most general sense, this can work. Whether this will work for you may depend on the country you're seeking a visa from, and perhaps even the exact embassy location you're applying at.
It may also depend on the quality of the photograph, but if the result looks to you pretty identical to (or better than) photocopies you've seen in the past, then it's highly likely to be fine.
On the other hand, if the image includes your fingers holding the pages open, this may raise queries - or even then, perhaps it won't.
For a country like the USA, consular officials are working through 100s or 1000s of applications per day and will only give your documents the briefest glance. Provided they can read the pertinent information (name, date of birth, and so on) they will probably be satisfied.