I know I know people with DSLR cameras...

If that's you and you don't already have a smart trigger, have a look at the Miops Mobile Dongle which lets your smartphone control the camera.

As well as the ordinary cable release (i.e. take a picture without touching the camera), it will do timed photos, timelapses (take x photos y.z seconds apart) of various sorts, photos when you move a certain distance, photos when a loud enough sound is detected.. or vibration.. or when your phone's camera view changes enough, i.e. something moves into view or there's a lightning flash or something breaks a light beam or...

Really neat and a fraction of the cost of the more usual smart triggers (including Miops' own) because your phone is doing nearly all of the work.

If I know UK people with Sony Alpha mount DSLRs, let me know: there's what I think is a bargain on a second-hand lens to point you at.