( CNN ) -- When Jay Kwon Yang died from stomach cancer in Virginia in 2012 , he left a dream unfulfilled : world travel . The environmental engineer and owner of a dry cleaner wanted to see Europe . And Africa . Even California or not so far away Florida . But he never got the chance . He was just 52 when he died . For more than a year , his 25-year-old daughter , Jinna Yang , could n't grow past the grief of losing her father , who had raised her , along with a brother and half-sister , almost single-handedly . So she decided to take her father on the trip of his dreams . ( You can read Yang 's moving tribute to her father on her blog . ) Buddy pictures . Traveling for a month in April with a portable , life-sized cutout of her father , New York-based Yang trekked across Europe and posed for pictures in front of famous landmarks , from Skogafoss Waterfall in Iceland to the Leaning Tower of Pisa . `` I have a good friend whose father is an industrial designer -- he helped me score the cutout so that it folded in and out , '' Yang tells CNN . `` It became portable enough to carry around after I folded it up . '' `` I took the time to appreciate the little things , '' says Yang . `` In every city I went , I took time to sit and soak in sights . `` Whether it was a huge waterfall in Iceland or a local cafe in Florence , I just sat . I loved watching the couples pass by in the romantic city of Florence , water crashing against rocks on the Italian Riviera , even the peacocks I saw on the island of Lokrum off the coast of Croatia . '' Iceland was the most `` life-changing '' destination for Yang . `` I had never done anything so adventurous , and the entire country seems like another planet sometimes , '' she says . Her cardboard travel buddy stirred curiosity throughout the trip . `` Many people stopped me in the street , asking me if it was a famous person , '' says Yang . `` Most of the time when you see a life-sized cutout , it 's of Justin Bieber or One Direction , and it 's usually in a nine-year-old 's room . `` Lots of people stopped to take photos as well . '' Worldwide attention . When she returned to New York , Yang posted her collection of photos on her blog ( see gallery above ) . The photos touched people around the world , though not all of the feedback has been positive . Some commentors on Yang 's site have suggested the photos are faked , an accusation Yang denies . `` It 's really unfortunate to hear these false accusations but I guess it goes with the territory , '' Yang tells CNN . `` The cutout I took with me was a flat board that stood six feet tall . I scored ( it ) into three sections so I could fold it up and take it around with me . So , no , I did n't have to pay for an extra seat for dad ! '' A `` behind the scenes '' photo of Yang carrying the cutout in front of the Louvre appears on her Instagram page . `` I consider myself an artist , and when I set out on this mission , I wanted to honor my father 's memory and take beautiful photos to showcase the project , '' Yang says . `` As any photographer knows , in order to create that 'perfect image ' there are times that editing is required . `` I do edit my work , and so does my photographer friend who took the photos . The white border around the cutout was cleaned up to make for a more beautiful photograph in many of these shots . `` It is sad that people are questioning the authenticity of the entire project , but ... I am grateful for the positive support I 've received from the community . `` The purpose of this project was not to make the perfect picture , but to bring peace to my family and inspire people to find hope and the courage to continue . '' Travel as therapy . Now back in New York , Yang is planning another European tour she hopes to take in July . `` Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom to know which direction to go , '' says Yang . `` I was broken , and because I allowed myself to accept that , I found the strength to make a change . `` I had talked about going backpacking through Europe , but when I ( actually ) booked the ticket and started planning the trip , it gave me something to look forward to again . `` I became confident in my ability to do something , and discovered hope in my future again . ''
Grieving daughter honors dead father by posing for pictures across Europe with his life-sized cutout . Only 52 when he died , father Jay Kwon Yang dreamed of world travel , but never got the opportunity . Daughter Jinna Yang is an artist in New York City . Photos have gained worldwide attention .