“It’s one thing to take pictures in case you’re worried about being threatened or assaulted, but if that doesn’t occur, the pictures shouldn’t be published anywhere with any type of accusation that smears those in the photos.”
Why? Their behavior is public. If they are embarrassed by it, they shouldn’t do it in the first place.
They weren’t in what is considered a public area, like a city street or park. They were in a residential area where homeowners don’t expect people from other places to hang out or to take pictures of their property or family members.
If someone doesn’t want their picture taken, it’s only polite to not do so.