Yes, this setting only works on the first line of a section that calls for it, which you are using for an image. I would try something like this:
The first section uses a special Section Type, what I’ve called “Chapter Image” in this example. This can be very simply left alone in your compile settings, as by default new Types are printed “As-Is”, which is exactly what you want for something like this.
Now the first “Text” section’s first paragraph is the first, rather than other lines above it (images or whatever). This method thus also works for things such as epigraphs, chapter summaries or ToCs and so on.
Here is a sample project that has a very simple setup like the above:
chapter_preambles.zip (168.7 KB)
It will work even with the broken image link, but for best results you will want to insert your own test image into the sample “Highway scene” item. I did not include one to keep the download small.
A side effect of this is increased mobility. If you write a new opening scene you don’t have to remember to go inside the old “first scene” and cut the image out.