Photo-induced processes in organic materials mostly occur on molecular levels. Excited molecules may split to form radicals, starting a polymerization process with diffusing monomers. The azo-dyes perform an optically induced cis-trans isomerization. During pattern formation like a holographic grating, the local temperature increase, especially in thin films, is up to date a subject of estimation from absorption and dissipation data. However, the exact knowledge of the surface temperature would help a lot in understanding the resulting refractive index and thickness patterns during holographic exposure. In this paper, in-situ pyrometer measurements are presented. As examples, different photosensitive materials, varying from a photopolymer to polycrystalline azo dyes, are used in order to outline the magnitude of this effect and demonstrate the feasibility of this technique.