HI Mike, I think the easiest way would be, when you open up modeler press "d" short cut to the display properties, go to back drop decide which window you want the picture in (top\tl, back\bL\side\bR) then where it says image just click it then brows to your picture.... I think that should do it......other wise you can build a simple square poly in layer one make sure it has the same dimentions as the image and then add the image as a surface to the poly...but the image wont show up if you switch layers so the backdrop is your best solution....at least that's what I would do... check out the free McLaren tutorial
http://www.simplylightwave.com/vip.shtml?tut=503 for more details...
Goodluck