My camellia loses some of its leaves as well if a winter is severe, probably because I neglect it alot. Either way after it flowers it makes lots of new leaves on the tips of the branches. Sometimes it takes a little time and you have to just wait. If your plant flowered it should be heathly enough to make new leaves.

Good luck.

Sounds like this plant has been moved often enough to prevent or delay proper root establishment.

It does have leaf buds at the tips. But what about the bare stems? Should I cut it back if it will promote fullness?
thanks!

You can leave the dead stems, but it would look better if you cut it until you reach a live one. Mine also occasionally has a bare stem and i just let the healthy stems full up over the dead ones when they grow in the spring.

Thanks!