If you have been able to collect branches/twigs with flowers on them, then you should be able to get decent closeup pictures of the flowers to show their characteristics. I can't argue with you about how to do that. All I'll say is "Practice, practice, practice". If one location (wood deck) doesn't provide good results, try another. Sidewalks, countertops, contrasting color towel (no reflection off that surface), your hand - there are myriad ways to do this, and each person has to figure out what works for them.
Flowers in Ericaceae are urn-shaped (bell-shaped), and quite different from the usual five-parted flowers of Rosaceae member plants. Your photos should be able to show that difference clearly.
I appreciate your estimation of my abilities - but Texas is a whole 'nother world from Kentucky. You have a lot of plants there I have never seen in person, nor the growing conditions that are everyday matters for you. It looks to me that this plant is growing in a crowded understory condition, so it isn't surprising to me that you are not seeing many flowers. Age is a virtue, not a hindrance, to the floriferousness of this species. But crowding/competition/shading will restrict the allocation of resources, and it looks like in this case the plant has steered energy to leaves to photosynthesize rather than flowers and reproduction.
Most of the pictures you can look up online will show big individual specimens flowering like mad in garden situations. Those are not equivalent to the conditions of the plant you have shown us.
