Need help displaying uploaded images on wordpress site! having problems

Ok. I am trying to upload images via ftp to one of my wordpress sites. when i try to display the image by typing the url i get a 404 page. i checked that my uploads folder has 777 chmod and that my settings are right in wordpress but i cannot get it to work.

i am will to pay for some help and need to resolve this asap. if someone has experience with this and you know you can fix it for sure, let me know. i can pay via paypal. 1/2 up front and 1/2 when complete.

i have a feeling that i am missing something really stupid.

thanks!!