hi Michelle,
it's best to find a book/website that has sketches instead of images. they more closely reflect what's seen at the ep. there's also some excellent sketches on here in some of the sketching threads.
attached is a sketch from a book that reflects what I see of M42 in my 10" dob. hope it helps somewhat as to what's expected.
if all you could see was the trapezium, with little or no nebulae structure, was the moon around? best time to view any neb is certainly when the moon is new or when it's no where near the object of choice (of course you know this)
unfortunately I know nothing about photography.
matt
removed the capture as to not violate copyright .. but this may help
http://www.asod.info/?p=7928 some lovely stuff on that's site