I would say there is absolutely a use for imagery - I wouldn’t advise learning real or complex analysis of without visual aids :). I just think they are easily abused and used to mask gaps in formal knowledge.
You have to start somewhere. Once idea is visualized and internalized on lower dimensions, you move to the next level, where images not needed; however to get to that step 0, where you understand why complex numbers used in AC: lots of folks never bother to explain that it's just the best way to describe rotation.