Characterization of the photochromism, photoinduced birefringence, and holographic recording in the chiral azo molecule, N-[4-(4-dodecyloxyphenylazo)benzoyl]-L-glutamic acid (C12-Azo-L-Glu), doped polymer films were studied. C12-Azo-L-Glu underwent a reversible trans-cis-trans isomerization in the polymer matrix. Photoinduced birefringence and holographic recording were performed by using Ar+ laser (488 nm) as writing beam and He-Ne laser (632.8 nm) as reading beam. The dependence of photoinduced birefringence and holographic recording on the intensities of writing beam was presented. The results indicated that C12-Azo-L-Glu was a kind of ideal material for holographic recording and it allowed multiple uses without apparent fatigue.