Camellias are basically soft shade loving plants, especially in very warm areas. They seem to thrive under the high shade provided by pines, for example. Dappled or 'moving' shade is good, or where the plant receives the morning sun, but is sheltered from the hotter afternoon glare. Reflected glare should be a consideration, as well.

In very warm climates, Camellias are certainly planted under very dense canopies of evergreen trees, and obviously thrive year after year after year.

Here is a link that might be useful: UGA fact sheet

I have two camellias (sasanquas) in shade and both are doing well. One is in filtered light in the morning and deep shade from the house in the afternoon. It is on the northeast side of my house. The other is in filtered shade all day. Both of them were 3-gallon size when I planted them and both are 4 years old. The one next to the house started blooming in late September and finished blooming a couple of weeks ago. It is sasanqua Jean May. The other isn't as good a bloomer for me, but I have hope that some day it will have more than two blooms per season. It is sasanqua Showa-No-Sakea

You might ask if they do well in full sun. They will do OK, but they do much better in the shade. A well established bush will even do well in heavy shade. Mine are quite old and all of them get shade most of the day. Some are even in shade all day. Trees also protect them from frost and keep them warmer when there is a freeze.

I had a camellia in full-sun when I moved into this house. It would scorch like the dickens if it got above 90 and it was sunny, and would winterburn (it had no protection). Now I have several planted in a shady area. Frankly, I don't know much about the plants. They were all so kindly given to me. I have planted most winter bloomers in deep decideous shade and they are all blooming just fine.

GGG

GGG,
What do you do for winterburn on a camillia? Mine is planted at the corner of the house and I have notice that it's leaves aren't glossy anymore.
Any suggestions?