Bosewichte,
Camellias set their buds in the heat of the summer.
So, you can definately cut the blooming flowers off when you want to, it won't hurt future blooms at all.
They are definately trees, not shrubs.
Just look real close when you are cutting the blooming flowers off and see how the tree is growing. Cut down to the next twig, that is growing out.
Hard to explain online.
You should try some news ones too. You will have more to pick. LOL.

Do not worry, cut what you want.
I cut a lot each year for bouquets and every year have many blooms.

Thanks so much! I'm very relieved to learn this!

After we reached 4F last week all my camellia buds are dead so it looks as if I will not have any to cut this spring.
bosewichte, did the cold affect your camellia buds?