Rowland Scherman studied Fine Arts at Oberlin College. In 1957, he was the dark room apprentice at LIFE magazine, and upon returning to college he began a photographic career that has spanned nearly a half a century.

Scherman became the first photographer for the newly-formed Peace Corps in 1961, and traveled the world to help give the agency its image. He shot editorial, fashion, and covers for Life, Look, Time, National Geographic, Paris Match and Playboy, among many others. 

In 1968 he won a Grammy Award for that year's Best Album Cover, as well as the Washington DC Art Director's Award for Photographer of the Year.