This sounds a lot like my daughter: grades/scores/interests/photography. We are a year further in the process and my advice echoes some of the above posts.
- don't give up on the PSAT. we didn't think my daughter had a chance but she jumped from a 187 to a 216 in one year and will (likely?) make the National Merit cut in our state. As noted, that would open up many options for great merit money. (Among her other schools, our rising senior is eyeing Drexel -- deep photo program, free tuition guaranteed for NMF -- and ASU -- free tuition and a strong journalism program. See below)
- definitely have her take a look at photojournalism as a major (or part of a double major). There is lots of overlap with other humanities but still lots of technical things learned too. With her scores she would very likely get good merit money at Mizzou (a great photoJ program). Nebraska-Lincoln is an up-and-coming program with special funding for international trips (paid for by son of Warren Buffett) and out-of-staters with high scores/GPA get generous merit aid. They have a scholarship calculator on their site.
- we, too, are suggesting a double major, because although our daughter is laser-focused on photography now, things can evolve over the college years and with a little planning, having another major isn't all that had for a strong student.
- many professional photographers do suggest business classes ... if she's going to really strike out on her own
- although you don't need a degree, I work in media, and most recent hires do have degrees and are coming through photojournalism or in-depth photography programs (like RIT -- in Rochester, NY).
- don't be too hasty to narrow things down. Just a year ago, I would have pegged my daughter for an urban LAC with a top mock trial team, her obsession then. As she enters senior year, so much has changed. She's still doing mock trial but photography has taken center stage. Also, a summer job with co-workers from around the world has opened her eyes and really made her focus on a school's cost -- and whether it would allow her the financial freedom to do a semester abroad or travel some in summer. Although we will do one round of east coast LAC visits and she will apply to some of them, she's strongly leaning toward a photoJ or journalism program where she'll get good merit aid, honors college acceptance and likely pursue a double major, graduating with little or no debt. (We're can pay about 20k a year, and she has earned quite a bit of money over summers).
Best of luck on your journey. She sounds like a great kid!