You are correct in running the foreach in the tpl. We might need to see a sample output from print_r to help you pinpoint the proper foreach code. Off the top of my head I'm guessing you are looking for something like this:
Code:
{foreach from=$data item=p}
<img href="{$p.image_path}" />
{/foreach}
As for image path not displaying an image you might want to post what you are seeing.