This is my take of the matter, as a Canadian and an amateur photographer:
If you have shots from a personal portfolio, particularly if these can easily be perceived as artistic images, I wouldn't be overly concerned. Shots with seven or more people in it, taken in a public place, also, should be fine, even with identifiable features. For commercial images or any image signed over to an agency, magazine, paper etc. for the purpose of marketing, advertising, profit and/or similar mercantile distribution, well, you should have a proper model release.
However, anyone can sue you. It's therefore a good idea to act discretely and respectfully, so as to be able to make one's point with conviction when pressed. |
