Help creating an image repository/library.

I have written a simple image uploading system to go along with a simple database. This will be a part of a publiclay accessable search engine for a jewelry companie's web site. Almost every entry has a corresponding image. But that was the easy part... The problem now is that I need to display the images next to the corresponding info on the same page. I do not know much about UNIX permissions but I am strongly advised to keep the permission settings on the public-html directory set to 0755 at the very least. Since the PHP script inhereits user permissions (and not the Owner's permission) this means that I can not upload the files to the Public-html directory where I could easily grab them with a URL. The only place I have access is outside the public html directory. Of couse I can open any number of images I like and read them to the browser screen... but they can not mingle with HTML becuase I have to set the header("Content-type: image/jpeg") in order to display the image in the first place. ARRGGH! It is forcing me to use frames or a floating window to display the images.. which is absoutely totaly unacceptable. Aside from being a hack solution there is no way I can align the images with the corresponding database info. And inline frames are not supported by all browsers. *sigh* I am being blocked on all ends and I need a solution fast. Any help will be **GREATLY** appreciated. -Kevin Stone