I agree with a log of the comments here, esp. about those full-screen pics that you have to scroooollllll past before you can even begin to read.
OTOH, a picture can serve as a shortcut for a summary, or help to create interest. For better or worse, the web is largely a visual medium.
In my own case, I started publishing my (technical) blog without pictures, and it just looked boooorrrrrrrinng. So I started sticking whimsical little pictures next to the lede, and I have to say that I think it looks a lot better that way, and I suspect that it helps create interest for people who may just stumble upon it.
FWIW, here's the blog: http://btorpey.github.io/