Danielle - everyone has their own experiences and limitations. I, for one, have noticed the difference during RPs between purely words and a mixture of words/pics. I write to cause a reaction... I want to effect ones emotions and I have found that pics definitely do something words cannot do, for me anyway.
But I get what you are saying - as an author, the ultimate measure of success is whether our words alone can create that emotional response we desire. I just don't feel I can do it sometimes just with words... may be one day. I mean, I am just a measly 'rookie scribe' whereas you are a 'blonde bombshell!'