A method and system are provided for allowing a user to store image data on a network. The system includes a file uploading component for uploading an image file from each user to the storage system, and for deriving an image metadata set related to the uploaded image file. The system also includes a plurality of database storage facilities for storing each image metadata set. Each database storage facility including at least two logically partitioned sections. The system additionally includes a file management component for managing data storage in order to store each image metadata set in more than one logically partitioned section and in more than one database storage facility, and for directing the image file to an image storage facility.