Controlled release by stimulus-responsive nanoparticles is oriented to increase the specificity of drug delivery, to improve the therapy effectiveness and minimizing side effects. This work presents the synthesis of photosensitive-polymeric nanoparticles as a potential system for localized drug delivery. First, the photoisomerizable amphiphilic-copolymer poly2-[4-phenylazophenoxy]ethyl acrylate-co-acrylic acid (PPAPE), was synthesized. Then, PPAPE was employed to prepare micellar nanoparticles by the nanoprecipitation method. Characterizations of the polymer were performed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and FTIR spectroscopy. The morphology of the nanoparticles was analyzed by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. Also, photostimulation response was confirmed by UV-VIS spectroscopy. Results indicate that the obtained photoresponsive nanoparticles have the size and photoisomerization necessary to perform the specific release of drugs.