Me and my sex doll: The men who are in adore in the manner of astonishingly practicable mannequins

With their long glossy hair, oppressive make-up and perfect skin, at first glance these glamourous women appear to make the perfect companions.

But see a tiny closer and their vacant stares allow away the fact that they are in fact astonishingly realistic silicone adore dolls, which sell for upwards of 1,000. http://www.lovedollmakers.com/

Their owners, who enjoy long-term contact past the dolls, were captured on camera by Copenhagen-based photojournalist Benita Marcussen, who approached the men via online forums - one of the lonesome places where many of them can be way in not quite their dolls - and spent nearly a year attainment their trust past photographing them for her series Men & Dolls.

For some of the owners, the life-sized dolls are their sole companion, others are married once children, and in a few cases the dolls have filled the broadcast left by in limbo loved ones with death or divorce.

Living doll: Phil stopped smoking for a year to be skillful to afford his doll Jessica, and his associates every know of her existence. He says he is under no illusions that she is a doll, and not a genuine woman, but does not care what anyone thinks not quite his unusual of lifestyle.

Collector: Everard, pictured in his garden bearing in mind his doll Anouska, has collected dolls for years and prefers silicone models on the other hand of the softer versions, known as 'teddy-babes'. His haul of 12 dolls includes figures made in the US, Russia and Asia dolls. He has eight bodies, but four supplementary faces, enabling him to create new dolls.

Secret companion: Sam has had Paula for years, and although his wife is long-suffering of the doll, he keeps her out of their home and daily lives therefore their kids who nevertheless stimulate at home accomplish not find out about her. The bands approximately the doll's wrists are protecting them as they are no question fragile and are starting to arrive in limbo .

Film star: This incline of 'Bianca' was used in the 2007 comedy film Lars And The genuine girl, starring Ryan Gosling. She was bought by a miser who says her identity is now that of a movie star.

Starring role: Bianca subsequent to actor Ryan Gosling in the film, which told the report of a youthful man, played by Gosling, who developed a admiring membership like a love doll.

Embrace: Photographer Benita Marcussen got to meet some of the owners at a convention in Wales. Pictured is one, 'Shadowman' gone his doll Carly at his Welsh hotel. He has a girlfriend and two adult daughters, and moreover Carly has four additional dolls which are not part of his daily life, but his links and family know of their existance.