Sherman grew up in Huntington, New York on Long Island. She was educated at Buffalo State College, enrolling in the basic studio courses - drawing, painting and photography. Sherman initially failed the required photography class (due to difficulties with the subject's technical side), and decided to focus on her major of painting. Later, however, Sherman studied with a photography instructor (Barbara Jo Revelle) who inspired her to 'just take pictures'. Sherman decided she found the immediacy of photography more appealing than trying to paint perfect copies of things, and switched majors.