: Since you're looking to store around 3000 HQ images per semester. If each of them are around 10 MB, they are going to occupy 30 GB space per semester for you. So, the first important question

Since you're looking to store around 3000 HQ images per semester. If each of them are around 10 MB, they are going to occupy 30 GB space per semester for you. So, the first important question in deciding VPS / Shared hosting will be how do you plan to store them?

If you're planning to store them in SQL Server, I really doubt if any hosting company will allow you to store 30 GB (incremental) in shared hosting SQL server. You've to select a Windows VPS in that case.

If you're planning to store image as a file, you can try out a shared hosting solution from a specialist. But remember that your incremental storage requirements will be huge and most probably a shared hosting account will be stretched to fulfill that.

Overall, a Windows VPS with a control panel like Websitepanel is much more easier to manage. They are easily expandable and give you full access to your server environment.
Since your website is image oriented, use CDN (Content Delivery Network) in your application. It reduces server load, speedup your website amazingly.

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