I love this. I'm in a somewhat home automation tinker place myself, and have made an open source doorbell camera (kinda) using an esp32 chip, since I didn't trust anything else to not spy. It sends me messages over element of any movement lasting longer than 5 seconds, which usually involves an old lady who walks slowly with her zimmer frame across the front of the house. Other than actual doorbell use, most of the images are of this old woman who I've now taken up the habit of greeting if I see her somewhere.
Have you got a write-up or GitHub for your camera? I'd kinda like to do the same, and wouldn't mind a starting point.
I can't without doxxing myself sadly. I really should make a public HN account
Please do!