please create a symlink first

php artisan storage:link

then try this code to get

$file = public_path('storage/profile-photos/t5Kxo6R7IjspwImQNcwayPU4jG6fmYoS4r5kupIK.png');

Hopefully it will work. it will solve the problem

OUT TOPIC: (but important) How to store image perfectly (Try this code) first create symlink (if you already do then please skip)

php artisan storage:link

from form pass image field as (whatever you want) name = image

to controller write code

$fileOriginalName = $request->file('image')->getClientOriginalExtension();
$image = time() . $fileOriginalName;
$request->image->storeAs('image', $image, 'public');

from view show (please modify $data->value to your variable and coloumn name)

<img src="{{asset('/storage/image/'.$data->value)}}" >