I think it is fine to major in photography. This discussion happens all the time on the music forum (passion vs practicality) and I think it is sad and unnecessary to prevent a young person from doing what they love on the undergrad level.
Here is a thread from the music forum: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/1577495-busting-the-myth-that-fine-arts-degrees-lead-to-the-poorhouse.html
Students who graduate in the arts (and I know several) may or may not work in that field. College still does not have to be that strictly vocational. A person with a BA or BFA or BS or whatever in an art like photography has access to grad school, med/law/business.nursing school, like anyone else with a bachelor’s (with some prereq’s done). And access to many jobs in many fields just like any other graduate. I would also suggest that internships during college make a big difference.
For variety you might take her to Bennington, Sarah Lawrence, Hampshire. She sounds like a self-starter and these schools offer more independent, interdisciplinary work and are relativelly artsy. Vassar, Skidmore. Not sure about merit aid but I do know some of these offer some. Clark U. in Worcester is one of the Colleges that Change Lives (check that book and website out) and offers merit aid.
Ivies offer financial aid to those with incomes as high as $150K making them cheaper than some privates for many. But if you are in that middle group with income higher than that but difficulty paying, the in-state or merit through privates would be the thing.
I’m going to PM you too 
I will PM you.