Build an API using Laravel or similar framework

We are currently working on a mobile app. We've built the frontend (PhoneGap / browser based), and just need somebody who can help us setup the server side. I believe PHP with Laravel is the best option, however if you think otherwise, feel free to advise me. All we need from this job is for an API to be built. It will include authentication, where users must be able to register an account or login via the API. Authenticated users (via the API) must be able to read and write to a database. Its just simple database operations; I'm a PHP developer myself so I know that it won't be a problem. The user flow: Login -> Upload a photo -> server processes the photo (I'll handle this) -> data is returned to the user -> the user confirms the data -> request is sent to the server to write to the database. Admin flow (for our employees): Login -> View records in a database -> Add records A big focus for this project is security. Our API will be handling confidential information, so it is very important that it is fully secured. The successful freelancer *must* be confident in their ability to write secure code. Desirable: We'd be willing to pay more if you can help us with the following additional requirements: Image manipulation: users will be uploading photos of a sheet of paper with printed information. These photos need to be straightened and cropped to a specific region on the sheet of paper, so that it can be processed with OCR. We have the OCR sorted.