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My kids were playing outside this evening and a woman who lives across the street took pictures of them. My kids knew it was the camera feature because they heard the shutter clicking. They were frightened and they came inside and told me immediately. This is not the first time this has happened, my kids and other neighborhood kids, had their picture taken as well from the same woman in the past but was descreet about it.  
I feel like what she is doing is against the law my kids were playing in what's suppose to be in the privacy of their backyard and not harming anyone. Should I be contacting the police or should I confront her?

If I lived in Brandon I likely would be in trouble all the time, or maybe not.  
Guess it's just the way I am, but I likely would just go over and ask if she was taking pictures of my kids, and if you are I'm wondering why.  
If she isn't forward in her reply, and basically sends you on your way with no response, then I might contact the police with my concern.  
Sometimes there are interesting people, and stories, connected to behavior that may seem different.

http://www.langleycameraclub.com/photographers-rights/

don brown said "If I lived in Brandon I likely would be in trouble all the time, or maybe not.   Guess it's just the way I am, but I likely would just go over and ask if she was taking pictures of my kids, and if you are I'm wondering why.   If she isn't forward in her reply, and basically sends you on your way with no response, then I might contact the police with my concern.   Sometimes there are interesting people, and stories, connected to behavior that may seem different. "

you can't do that, especially if being done from her own yard, or even from public areas. If she walked on to your private yard and took pictures, then that's different and you have the right to ask. Same with the other discussion going on at the moment.  
 
While it's in your right to contact the Police, there really isn't anything that can be done.

If I was in my house and had a camera with a telephoto lens would it be technically ok to take pictures of the neighbours in their house, or their yard.  
Went and read the link provided. Before it went into the rights and responsibility of the photographer,it stated that common sense and manners should be used, and one should always ask before taking someone's picture. So I guess taking a persons picture, without asking,is maybe not illegal,is just rude and inconsiderate.  
 
Edited by don brown, 2017-08-30 21:12:54

don brown said "If I was in my house and had a camera with a telephoto lens would it be technically ok to take pictures of the neighbours in their house, or their yard.   Went and read the link provided. Before it went into the rights and responsibility of the photographer,it stated that common sense and manners should be used, and one should always ask before taking someone's picture. So I guess taking a persons picture, without asking,is maybe not illegal,is just rude and inconsiderate.     Edited by don brown, 2017-08-30 21:12:54"

In their house might be questionable, but yard is fair game. If it can be seen from a public area or your property, it's not illegal. Might be labelled as creepy though. But you can't walk up to the photographer to detain, destroy, or ask to delete photos acquired legally.  
 
'It is generally permissible to photograph private property from a distance, as long as you do so without trespassing onto the private property itself. However, when photographing around people's homes, you must ensure that you respect the privacy rights of the people living there. Courts recognize that “[a] person's reasonable expectation of privacy in his or her own home is ordinarily very high.” It is best not to photograph inside windows or backyards, for example, without permission.'  
Taken from link below.  
 
https://cippic.ca/en/FAQ/Photography_Law#can  
 
Portable Photographer's Rights List  
http://ambientlight.ca/wp-content/uploads/Ontario-Photography-Laws-V1.0.pdf

supernova_ said "My kids were playing outside this evening and a woman who lives across the street took pictures of them. My kids knew it was the camera feature because they heard the shutter clicking. They were frightened and they came inside and told me immediately. This is not the first time this has happened, my kids and other neighborhood kids, had their picture taken as well from the same woman in the past but was descreet about it.   I feel like what she is doing is against the law my kids were playing in what's suppose to be in the privacy of their backyard and not harming anyone. Should I be contacting the police or should I confront her? "

The lady across the street was taking pictures of your kids in your back yard. (Wow, that's a tough shot to get)  
The kids know it was a camera feature ( phone? ) because they heard the clicking. ( really loud shutter ).  
Frightened by a neighbor they knew, and they didn't do anything to her!  
 
Sorry, but it sounds like there is more to this.

Maybe this is the guy going around taking these sort of pictures. From the context of his responses. Trying to justify these people actions and just throw the book at you. I wouldn't doubt it. It's not just about the law it's about respecting people. Go ahead throw the book at someone. Can't stop someone from trying to protect themselves or family from obvious creepers bud.

I've had people take photos of my home. Not sure why but they stop and leave when I start taking photos of them.  
 
My friend wishes her neighbours would take a picture. It would last longer. She has one dumb neighbour who shuts out his lights and watches her in her yard thinking he can't be seen. She has another goof in the lane that watches her but when she looks up and catches him, he quickly hides behind the blinds. These are 60+ guys. What's up with that? That spells nosy & creepy. I want to go tell them to knock it off because they don't talk to her, they just stare. I've seen them. It's creepy.  
 
People should just mind their business & stop minding what going on in everyone else's yards, especially where kids and single women are concerned. Ick.

loeog said "    supernova_ said "My kids were playing outside this evening and a woman who lives across the street took pictures of them. My kids knew it was the camera feature because they heard the shutter clicking. They were frightened and they came inside and told me immediately. This is not the first time this has happened, my kids and other neighborhood kids, had their picture taken as well from the same woman in the past but was descreet about it.   I feel like what she is doing is against the law my kids were playing in what's suppose to be in the privacy of their backyard and not harming anyone. Should I be contacting the police or should I confront her? " The lady across the street was taking pictures of your kids in your back yard. (Wow, that's a tough shot to get)   The kids know it was a camera feature ( phone? ) because they heard the clicking. ( really loud shutter ).   Frightened by a neighbor they knew, and they didn't do anything to her!     Sorry, but it sounds like there is more to this. "

I agree there must be more to this. How'd they hear the shutter clicking from across the street? Especially on a phone. Maybe they heard wrong? Maybe she was taking screen shots of something and it had nothing to do with your kids? How do you know she's taken pics of other kids before? Have you seen the photos? Maybe she's documenting times kids are without an adult (and before anyone jumps down my throat, I didn't say I agree with that and I personally think children should be able to play in their own backyard unattended with a parent inside listening). But some people don't think that's ok. Just so many things It could be. But if you are concerned for children's safety, then yes I would notify police to even go talk to this woman.

Some phones and tablets have a cam in front and back - switchable.  
Could it just be a selfie (though kids thought it was aimed at them) ?

If you think your neighbour is taking pictures of your children then have a friendly conversation with them. Get to know them.

My old neighbour/landlord used to take pictures of my kids playing in our backyard on multiple occasions. I asked her several times to stop and she wouldn't. She was an amateur photographer and wanted experience. This is not ok although not illegal. I would confront her.

Just because it's not illegal for her to take pictures doesn't mean you can't ask her about it, I'd go ahead and just have a chat with her, let her know the kids thought she was taking pictures of them and it made them uncomfortable.

Well as a mother myself, I wouldn't be okay with that at all. I don't care if it's legal or not. There is no reason why someone should be purposefully and intending to take pictures of my child. I recently moved away from an area in town because my neighbour gave me the creeps, although she had multiple run ins with the law. She would often stare at my child out the window or invent reasons for her to go outside while my child was out there (for example, in the winter she spent an hour building a snowman by herself) she made me very uncomfortable to the point where I didn't want my child playing outside in the yard at all. She would also steal his toys from our yard (little trucks etc) when we weren't home, things she wouldn't expect us to notice they were gone. Luckily I had a neighbour on the other side who caught her doing this. Obviously my case is different than yours, but I finally told my partner and I had enough and we were moving. I don't like feeling like my child is unsafe, it doesn't matter if they aren't in physical or immediate danger.